LONEROCK — Crews assigned to the Lone Rock Fire responded to multiple lightning-caused fires in the area even as they increased containment on the main blaze, fire managers reported in an update on Monday, Aug. 5.

The fire is holding at an estimated 137,222 acres and is now 92% contained. A total of 284 firefighters are assigned to the blaze.

A severe thunderstorm that passed through the area on Sunday brought several new fire starts to the surrounding area, officials said. Resources from the Lone Rock Fire are assisting local agencies with initial attack operations to combat these new starts.

On Sunday, crews focused on cleaning up and reinforcing existing fireline in the previously problematic areas on the east and west sides of the fire. Almost the entire east side of the fire is now contained, with the exception of a portion of fireline to the west of Henry Creek where crews are still working to clean up and reinforce existing line. Excavator work was wrapped up on the west side of the fire, and firefighters continued to mop-up isolated pockets of heat.

Sunday night, crews responded to the Bennett Fire, a 500-acre new start to the northwest of Antelope in Wasco County. Crews from the Spray spike camp also assisted with the Wildhorse Fire, a 60-acre fire south of Spray, near Steamboat Mountain.

Tactics and operational objectives will remain the same for Monday regarding the continued work on the Lone Rock Fire. Additionally, crews will be available to assist with new fire starts that may be located as the fuels dry out and begin to smoke.

Temperatures will be similar to Sunday, mid-80s to around 100 degrees across the fire area. Calm winds out of the north/northeast are expected, with ridgeline gusts from 15-20 mph. No significant weather concerns are forecasted, though there is a slight chance for thunderstorms to the east of the fire area in the afternoon.

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

Closures:

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.

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

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