MONUMENT, Ore. – The Boneyard Fire was active throughout the day on Monday July 22, growing along southwest flanks in Cupper Canyon and starting spot fires outside of Monument. Firefighters were able to suppress and stop the majority of the spot fires and are likely to stop the remaining spot fires this evening.
Control lines along the northwestern flank of the fire are continuing to hold and the fire did not cross the North Fork John Day River west of Monument along highway 402. The fire is continuing to spread northeast into the Umatilla National Forest, away from structures.
The fire is likely to burn southwest up to highway 402 and the river, but crews will work through the night to keep the fire north of the highway and inside newly built dozer lines. As a result of southwesterly spread, spot fires near Monument, and Courtrock fire activity, Level 3 evacuation notices have been expanded beyond highway 402.
At the request of the Boneyard incident, two additional Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces were mobilized from the Lone Rock fire to join the three that were already in place, providing critical structure protection to the town of Monument and surrounding community.
The Boneyard Fire is currently 30,154 acres and was started by lightning on July 17.
Gusty winds and dry fuels contributed to the Courtrock Fire’s spread along all fronts and spot fires started outside of established dozer lines. Fire crews are working to reestablish control lines surrounding Courtrock, which is estimated to be 2,500 acres in size.
Dayshift resources have been extended and will continue to work into the evening alongside night shift resources due to increased fire behavior.
Closures: The Bureau of Land Management has closed public lands along the John Day River from Kimberly to Dale, and from Kimberly to Service Creek. The Umatilla National Forest has implemented a
closure for public lands within the Heppner Ranger District.
Evacuations: 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 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068819321423,
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/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae
FIRE AT A GLANCE
Estimated Size: 30,154 acres
Containment: 2%
Cause: Lightning