Firefighters extend containment lines on Battle Mountain Complex

Published 12:27 pm Thursday, August 8, 2024

UKIAH — Crews extended containment lines on the Battle Mountain Complex and conducted burning operations to rob the fire of fuel near containment lines as a new management team took command of the blaze, fire managers stated in an update on Thursday, Aug. 8.

The fire burning in parts of Grant, Umatilla and Morrow counties continued to hold at around 182,000 acres and containment increased to 48%. A total of 1,670 firefighters are assigned to the blaze.

Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the Battle Mountain Complex at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Oregon Department of Forestry Team 3 ensured a smooth transition to the new team who will continue the work to contain the fires, fire officials said.

On Wednesday afternoon, firefighters ignited small burns in several locations to remove unburned vegetation that remained between control lines and the main fire.

On the north side, fire was brought down to the road in Swale Creek to secure that area. Ignitions around Ellis Creek, within the Potamus drainage, were also successful. There are still small sections on the northern side where burning may be necessary to secure the fire’s edge and make mop-up and patrol more efficient.

On Thursday, firefighters will look for additional opportunities to secure the fireline with burning operations on the north end. The southern, eastern and western sides of the fire will continue to be mopped up, secured and patrolled.

Suppression repair work will also continue. The goal of suppression repair work is to limit the potential impacts of erosion and allow dozer and handline to revegetate.

Crews continue to patrol the southern and southwestern sides of the fire and will start to remove any equipment that is no longer needed. The equipment will be cleaned, rehabbed and made available for other fires burning in the area. 

Weather: Increased cloud cover is expected Thursday with isolated showers and thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. These potential showers are not expected to bring much rain. Humidities will be slightly higher. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected Friday and Saturday, which could bring gusty winds and lightning, including new lightning ignitions around the area. Temperatures are expected to moderate. 

Smoke: Smoke from regional fires is expected to persist in the area. Residents can expect to continue to see smoke from interior pockets of unburned fuel as well as small burnout operations. Helicopter resources will patrol the fire and provide bucket-drop support where visibility allows. Additional smoke information: https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024

Public Land Closures: The Bureau of Land Management and the Umatilla National Forest have closed public lands in the fire area. Visit https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024 for more information.

Road closures and fire restrictions: https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024

Grant, Morrow and Umatilla County Evacuations: https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024

Total Complex Estimated Acres: 182,604

Location: Ukiah, Oregon

Cause: Under Investigation

Personnel: 1670

Containment: 48%

Estimated Cost: $56 million

Resources: 57 crews | 70 engines | 9 helicopters | 40 water tenders | 25 dozers