Courtrock Fire lines holding at 20,000 acres, 57% containment

Published 10:03 am Tuesday, August 6, 2024

MONUMENT — Crews strengthened containment lines on the Courtrock Fire while responding to additional new fires in the area, fire managers said in an update on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

The fire, burning south of Monument and west of Long Creek, was holding at an estimated 20,000 acres and 57% containment, according to the morning update.

Firefighters continue to reinforce containment all around the fire’s edge, working toward full suppression, fire officials said.

Firefighters have also been busy assisting other agencies in the local areas with several new fire starts since the weekend, including ones that started after the Sunday night thunderstorms rolled through Eastern Oregon.

Crews responded to three new fire starts within the local area and also lent a hand to one a little further west — the 1,000-acre Elk Lane Fire in Jefferson County, just west of Madras, started by an undetermined source.

On the upper west side of the Courtrock Fire, where the fire is contained, firefighters are chipping branches and other fuels that were cut to stop the fire spread. These fuels are then spread out on the ground to begin treating damage done during fireline construction.

Firefighters working the upper east side of the fire in the area without containment crews conducted cold trailing, which often refers to searching for remaining embers. The slopover that crossed a containment line on the upper east side of the fire is now fully lined with a hose around it and holding.

Crews on the south end of the fire were patrolling the fire’s edge, looking for lingering hotspots. Recent infrared flights over the fire have confirmed significantly fewer heat signatures coming from the fire’s interior.

Tactics and operational objectives will remain the same Tuesday regarding the continued work to further extinguish hotspots within the perimeter.

An initial attack group is assisting with other fires, including the Bennett Fire, more than 400 acres northwest of Antelope in Wasco County; the Wildhorse Fire, a 60-acre fire south of Spray, near Steamboat Mountain; and the Indian Hollow Fire, a 75-acre fire in Wheeler County.

Weather: Temperatures will be similar or slightly cooler than Monday, mid-80s to mid-90s across the fire area. Calm winds out of the north/northwest are expected, with ridgeline gusts from 15-20 mph. No significant weather concerns are forecast. Smoke may still be visible this week as fuels dry out and temperatures rise.

Evacuations/Shelters/Closures: All areas surrounding Courtrock Fire are in Level 1 evacuation status (Be Ready).

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

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

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

Fire Information: 541-208-4369 from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. – 2024.courtrock@firenet.gov

Acres: 20,018 acres

Start Date: July 21st, 2024

Cause: Lightning

Fuels: Timber, grass, brush

Containment: 57%

Resources: 415