Firefighters on the Battle Mountain Complex check their tools on Aug. 3, 2024.

UKIAH — Crews continue to make progress on the Battle Mountain Complex, extending containment and beginning mop-up on areas that had recently been active, including the southeast corner of the blaze just west of Monument, fire officials said in an update on Sunday, Aug. 4.

The fire, burning in portions of Grant, Umatilla and Morrow counties, now stands at an estimated 182,000 acres with 32% containment.

Overnight, firefighters pushed containment to 32% as they continued to extinguish lingering hot spots and increase mop-up depth, officials said.

During mop up, crews cool hot spots around the perimeter and build depth as they push into the burned area to create a buffer so that any reheated or ignited materials can’t escape the fire perimeter. Crews patrol the fire perimeter throughout the summer to check fire behavior and ensure the fire doesn’t escape. 

“Mop-up is 80% of wildland firefighting,” said Operations Section Chief Eric Perkins. “It’s an arduous task. It takes a lot of time. It takes a lot of people hours to get it done and to get it done right, and that’s what we’re doing.”

Crews are conducting mop-up operations around the entire perimeter of the fire, including portions of the fire that were considered more active late last week, including the southeast corner, just west of Monument and Ditch Creek to the north. Firefighters have even begun suppression repair work along lines considered fully contained.

Firefighters continue to make progress within the Potamus drainage as they bring the fire to control features to stop its advance and begin mop up.

Residents should continue to expect to see smoke in the interior and the unburnt island within the fire perimeter as unburnt vegetation burns well within the fire’s footprint. Helicopter resources will patrol the fire and provide bucket-drop support where visibility allows.

Fire officials are planning a community meeting in Heppner on Monday at 6 p.m. at Heppner City Hall, 111 North Main St. Fire officials, public leaders and community partners will share information about current operations and will have time for breakout question-and-answer sessions. This event will be recorded and published following the meeting.

Evacuations: Learn more about current evacuation levels for each county at:

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.

Total Estimated Complex Size: 181,659 acres

Monkey Creek Fire: 177,175 acres

North Fork Owens: 4,484 acres

Total Containment 32%

Cause: Under Investigation

Estimated Cost: $43,890,784

All Resources

Hand Crews: 61

Engines: 78

Water Tenders: 37

Dozers: 26

Helicopters: 9

Total Personnel: 1,929