Containment on Courtrock Fire reaches 99% as new team takes over

Published 3:58 pm Tuesday, August 13, 2024

MONUMENT — The Courtrock Fire is now 99% contained, fire managers reported in an update on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

The fire, burning south of Monument and west of Long Creek, continues to hold at about 20,000 acres, and 133 firefighters remain on the scene to continue mopping up and monitoring the blaze.

As of 6 p.m. on Monday, the High Desert Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Team has assumed command of the fire response under Incident Commander Chris Cook. A Type 3 team is a smaller incident management organization.

Fire updates are available on the Courtrock Fire Inciweb page, or Courtrock Fire Facebook.

Although a transfer of command has taken place, fire objectives remain the same. Fire crews will patrol and monitor the fire’s edge and suppress interior hotspots to solidify a cold, black containment line. Equipment and resources have begun suppression repairs, which includes rehabilitating dozer lines and old roadbeds.

The islands of unburned fuels are becoming smaller, yet still need to be consumed. It is likely the remaining interior pockets that are holding heat and producing smoke will continue to do so until a significant weather change occurs in the area. The public should not call 911 for smoke coming from the interior of the Courtrock Fire.

Weather: Tuesday is mostly clear with areas of haze and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Low pressure aloft exits the region to the northeast, dragging a weak cold front across the area. Cooler and drier air will move over the region later Tuesday and Wednesday, with clearing skies and seasonable temperatures. Shower and thunderstorm chances increase Thursday and Thursday night as a cold front moves into the region.

Closures: Driving in or visiting the areas affected by Courtrock Fire is a violation against a Forest Service closure order. The public is asked to wait to visit until the closure order is lifted, which means the area has been stabilized.

Evacuations/Shelters/Closures: Level 1 evacuations are in effect for some areas.

For Grant County evacuation updates, visit the Grant County Emergency Management Office’s Facebook page, or sign up for the Grant County Emergency Alert System.

The U.S. Forest Service has closures for the Malheur National Forest.

Fire Information: 2024.courtrock@firenet.gov

Acres: 20,019 acres

Start Date: July 21st, 2024

Cause: Lightning

Fuels: Timber, grass, brush

Containment: 99%

Resources: 133