Structures prioritized as containment and mop-up operations expand ahead of expected wind gusts

 UKIAH, Ore. – Firefighters on the Battle Mountain Complex Zone I expanded containment across multiple flanks overnight as control lines held and increased humidity in the air reduced fire activity. The northern flank near Tupper Butte, the northwestern flank near Turner Mountain and the southern flank near Steet Mountain all held while crews conducted mop-up operations to remove any residual heat left near control lines.

The southwestern flank, near Thorn Spring Butte, remained active as topography and heavy timber drove fire activity around Cupper Canyon. As a safety precaution, powerlines in the area were temporarily shut off while fire activity was high, and crews worked to construct contingency control lines while securing established lines. Power to affected areas was restored this morning as soon as the threat from wildfire was mitigated.

Four task forces from the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) were assigned to the Battle Mountain Complex Zone I, and engines worked through the night on mop-up and point protection operations around structures threatened by wildfire. Protecting structures near the southwestern flank remains priority number one for OSFM resources assigned to Zone I.

Along the perimeter of Zone II, firefighters held lines and expanded mop-up operations. With an incoming cold front, incident officials expect west-northwest winds to gust up to 20-25 mph along the ridges. In anticipation of wind gusts, crews pushed farther from the fire’s edge to locate and extinguish hot spots. This is important to prevent embers from heating and traveling across the line.

In addition to mop up, firefighters will patrol and grid the fire’s exterior to prevent new starts. Crews are using handheld infrared devices to locate hot spots along Forest Service Road 020.

Firefighters continue to provide structure protection and mop up around homes and outbuildings. Along Hwy 395, firefighters and Oregon Department of Transportation will work to remove standing dead timber to minimize risk of falling hazards in the area. Crews continue to work on the Potamus drainage to connect lines.

The North Fork Owens Fire, to the north of Zone II, remains at 90% containment (the complex stands at 7% containment).

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 www.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.
• For Morrow County, visit https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae

Public Land Closures:

The Bureau of Land Management has closed public lands along the John Day River from Kimberly to Dale, and from Kimberly to Service Creek. More information here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

The Umatilla National Forest has implemented a closure for public lands within the Heppner Ranger District and the North Fork John Day Ranger District. More information at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1194462 and https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768.

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Total Estimated Complex Size: 172,334 acres

Monkey Creek Fire: 172,626

North Fork Owens:  4,484 acres

Total Containment:  8%

Cause:   Under Investigation              

Estimated Cost:   $27,300,000

All Resources

Hand Crews: 53         

Engines:  104

Water Tenders:  42    

Dozers:  21

Helicopters:   5
Total Personnel: 1,745