Crews hold line on Lone Rock Fire; now at 137,000 acres

Published 8:55 am Friday, August 2, 2024

LONEROCK — Crews continued to make progress on mopping up the Lone Rock Fire, but the onset of hotter, drier conditions poses more challenges, fire managers said in their daily update on Friday, Aug. 2.

The fire, burning across portions of Gilliam, Wheeler and Morrow counties between Lonerock and Spray, is currently estimated to cover 137,222 acres with 83% containment.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, meaning critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly, fire managers noted.

Though these conditions are unlikely to affect current containment lines, officials said, the combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and above normal temperatures will bring an increased potential for new fire starts. A crew dedicated to attacking new fire starts will be standing by and is ready to respond if needed.

Despite Thursday’s increase in temperature, fire behavior on the Lone Rock Fire remained favorable for crews continuing to extinguish hotspots, perform mop-up, and reduce remaining hazards. Crews continued to patrol and monitor the containment line and focused the bulk of suppression work in the more active, middle section of the fire’s perimeter. There is no change in operational objectives planned for Friday.

The public is urged to remain cautious today and through the weekend with the existing critical fire weather conditions. Taking individual responsibility to reduce wildfire risk while working or recreating around homes and communities before a fire occurs can help keep property, the public, and firefighters safe.

The hot and dry conditions will allow remaining heat sources to either burn out and self-extinguish or begin active creeping, potentially resulting in isolated torching within the mixed conifer. Over the weekend, moisture moving into the area should result in increased cloud cover and moderate humidity values, but with only a slight chance of precipitation and a potential for dry lightning.

Evacuations: There are no Level 3 evacuations in place for the Lone Rock Fire.

For Gilliam County evacuation information, visit Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

For Wheeler County evacuation information, visit Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

For Morrow County evacuation information, visit Morrow County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

Closures: For updated road closure information, visit https://www.tripcheck.com/.

Umatilla National Forest Order Number 06-14-02-24-02 includes prohibitions within the Heppner Ranger District on the Umatilla National Forest.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Prineville District Office issued an Emergency Public Land Closure on BLM-managed lands along the main stem John Day River and along the North Fork John Day River from Kimberly, Ore. to Dale, Ore.

More information:

Fire Information: 541-208-4369 from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. –2024.0404rvlonerock@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/inciden…/orprd-lone-rock-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoneRockFireInformation