Firefighters turn the corner on Courtrock Fire, nearly finished with fireline around the fire

July 29, 2024

541-612-0744
imt1.fireinfo@odf.oregon.gov
Boneyard/Courtrock Fire Facebook

 MONUMENT, Ore. – Building off yesterday’s hard work, overnight firefighters worked to strengthen the fireline around the Courtrock Fire. The fire is now nearly lined with a mix of handline, roads, and bulldozer line. Today, firefighters will work to finish approximately one mile of line in light fuels and continue to strengthen existing line, bringing the fire’s edge to the line in any areas where it is indirect.

On the northern edge of the fire, northwest of Hamilton Mountain, mop up will continue as firefighters work to find any areas of heat and increase the area of cold black adjacent to the fireline. Along the southwestern edge of the fire, firefighters will continue to improve the fireline in difficult terrain and work to hold the fire at USFS 3950 Road.

The southeast area of the fire will see some interior burning of fuels and tightening of the line as the fire consumes unburned fuels. This area had significant spotting from the main fire on Saturday.

Three structural task forces from the Oregon State Fire Marshal are coordinating with wildland firefighters, securing line along the southeast, particularly along the 3950 road. Structure protection is the priority for these resources, both homes that have been impacted by fire and immediately threatened.

Jason Pettigrew, Operations Section Chief, emphasized the hard work from the landowners in the area, “The miles of fireline they have built, and the miles of line they have secured, we couldn’t do it without their support.”

Weather today will test these lines, while also helping firefighters identify areas of heat. This afternoon, a cold front moving through will bring stronger winds from the west, transitioning to northwest, increasing fire behavior. A slight potential for rain or thunderstorms this afternoon is expected, with a greater chance of wetting rain later in the evening. This moisture will help moderate fire behavior and provide an opportunity for firefighters to continue pushing into the fire interior to secure the perimeter.

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: https://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:

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

FIRE AT A GLANCE
Courtrock Est. Size: 17,066 acres
Containment: 24%
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Cost: $ 735,000

Evacuations
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068819321423
Road Closures
https://www.tripcheck.com
Vaughn Rd., Short Beech Creek Rd. Short Corner Rd., Grant County Rd #9, Keeny Fork Rd. to Four Corners, and Middle Fork Rd.
Fire Restrictions
https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html

All Resources
Total Personnel: 356
Hand Crews: 10
Engines: 34
Water Tenders: 13
Dozers: 15
Helicopters: 8
Incident Commanders:
Joe Hessel Oregon Department of Forestry
Incident Management Team 1
Rob Root Oregon State Fire Marshal
Incident Management Team Green

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