Snake Fire merges into Monkey Creek Fire

UKIAH, Ore. – Yesterday, the Snake Fire merged into the Monkey Creek fire in the North Fork John Day River corridor, becoming the 48,348-acre Monkey Creek Fire. The river corridor and other drainages are especially gusty on a fire where high temperatures, wind gusts, steep rimrock terrain and limited visibility are complicating fire suppression.

“Our firefighters have been battling these fires day and night for several days amid some of the most challenging terrain and weather in the state,” said Incident Commander Tyler McCarty. “We’re so proud of the work they’ve done. We’re talking a lot about safety, because there’s a lot of work ahead of us to put these fires out.”

Overnight, crews continued to line and mop up spot fires from yesterday on the northeast corner of the Monkey Creek Fire. Along the south end, where crews saw the most active fire behavior, they used defensive firing operations to burn vegetation up to dozer lines to head off the fire. Dozer lines to the east and south of southern head of the fire proved to be effective and will be improved today.

On the southeast portion of the Monkey Creek Fire, firefighters continued to scout for positions to line and begin burn operations to head off where the fire crossed over the Middle Fork John Day River. Crews will continue defending and protecting structures along the river corridor, where fire activity remains active.

On the north portion of the Monkey Creek Fire, crews continue to improve dozer line, looking for areas to tie together lines and place defensive burn operations.

Crews will continue mop-up operations and patrolling on the 4,485-acre North Fork Owens Fire, which stands at 20% containment (the complex stands at 3% containment). Last night, acreage increased due to more accurate GPS mapping, not from fire growth. Resources from this division will also support local initial attack for any potential new starts from expected lightning this afternoon.

Evacuations: Level 1 (Be Ready), Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in effect. For updated information, visit:

·     For Umatilla County, follow facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff or sign up for Umatilla County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/index/2590041373147145.

·     For Grant County, visit the RAPTOR arcgis site or sign up for alerts at: https://member.everbridge.net/index/825462649520134.

 

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Total Estimated Size: 52,833 acres

Monkey Creek: 48,348

North Fork Owens: 4,485 acres

Snake: (Merged with Monkey Creek)

Containment:     3%

Cause:  Under Investigation   

Estimated Cost:               $2,500,000

All Resources

Hand Crews:                          17   

Engines:                                 38   

Water Tenders:                       15   

Dozers:                                   10

Helicopters:                             6
Total Personnel:                   654