Crews expand containment of Courtrock Fire to 37%

Published 9:15 am Wednesday, July 31, 2024

MONUMENT — Firefighters expanded containment on the Courtrock Fire as they focused on mopping up hot spots and shoring up firelines, fire managers said in their morning update on Wednesday, July 31.

Burning south of Monument and west of Long Creek, the fire is estimated to cover just under 20,000 acres.

On Wednesday, firefighters will focus on mopping up areas adjacent to the fireline and moving deeper into the fire, fire officials said. As this work continues, they will be looking for larger, heavier fuels that retain heat and could ignite adjacent unburned fuels. Firefighters will use hand tools and water to douse burning material and cool the fire.

Containment for the fire increased to 37% as firefighters have continued to work through areas adjacent to the fireline, locating areas of heat and smoke. Increased acreage Wednesday is a result of better mapping of the fire perimeter.

A warming trend begins Wednesday with temperatures rising steadily for the next few days, drying fuels and increasing the potential for ignitions.  Unburned fuel within the fire perimeter may be consumed as temperatures warm and dry fuels near interior fire pockets. The wind today will be light and primarily terrain driven, helping to expose hotspots for firefighters to put out.

Due to reduced fire behavior and the decreased threat to homes in the area the Oregon State Fire Marshal has released some task forces from the incident to return home for rest. Wildland firefighters and remaining structural resources will continue to work and monitor fire activity around homes and other structures.

Evacuation levels for areas in Grant County around the Courtrock Fire and Battle Mountain Complex were reduced on Tuesday because of the hard work from firefighters and landowners to stop the spread of these fires.

Due to fire activity in the area, the U.S. Forest Service has issued closures for the Malheur. Up to date information on Malheur National Forest closures can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/malheur/news-events

Information for Zone I of the Battle Mountain Complex, including the western portion of the Monkey Creek Fire (formerly Boneyard Fire) can now be found at: www.facebook.com/battlemountaincomplex2024

Evacuations: Level 1 (Get Ready), Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in effect. For updated evacuation information:

• Grant County Emergency Management Office’s Facebook page, or sign up for the Grant County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/825462649520134/login. Morrow County Evacuation information can be found at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a3 20142174aa20ae

Shelters: An evacuation center has been set up at Grant Union High School (911 S Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845).

Clean air and cooling centers are located in the following locations in Grant County:

• Grant County Library- cooling & clean air, Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• John Day Senior Center- cooling & clean air, Monday & Thursday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday 12 – 4 p.m.
• Prairie City Public Works – clean air center, Monday –  Friday 12 – 7 p.m.
• Dayville Community Hall- cooling & clean air, 24/7