Mop up continues across Zones I and II of the Battle Mountain Complex

July 31, 2024

541-612-0744
imt3.fireinfo@odf.oregon.gov
Follow updates for Battle Mountain Complex on Facebook or InciWeb.

UKIAH, Ore. – Firefighters completed another night of good work on the Battle Mountain Complex, with progress on mop-up operations across both Zones I and II. Temperatures are predicted to begin heating up today, potentially reaching 90 once again, and into the 100s tomorrow. With this increase back into hotter weather patterns, a methodical mop-up process is extremely important to ensure the fire doesn’t flare up and cross firelines.

In Zone I, the focus will continue to be on the southwest corner near Cupper Creek and Top roads, where just north of those locations, an unburned pocket of land remains within the fire footprint. Overhead personnel and firefighters are exploring options on how to address this land, located inside the interior of the fire line. If left as is, it may pose a risk of the fire reigniting in hot conditions when firefighters aren’t present to easily access and address it. Strategic firing operations may occur this morning if conditions allow, which may generate more smoke, however additional hand and bulldozer line are also being put in today as well. On the rest of Zone I, heavy mop up continues, which will help to ultimately increase containment across the incident.

Continued progress, increased containment and less active fire conditions have decreased the fire threat to structures. As a result, the Oregon State Fire Mashal began releasing Task Forces to their home agencies to rest and restore for the next response Wildland firefighters and remaining structural resources will continue to work and monitor fire activity around homes and other structures.

Work within the Potamus drainage continues to be the focus in Zone

  1. Firefighters continue to construct hand and dozer line directly on the fire’s edge within the canyon to stop the fire’s forward progress before temperatures begin to rise tomorrow. As firefighters mop-up and build containment, crews will continue to patrol firelines to locate and extinguish any fire activity along and outside the perimeter. Residents can expect to see smoke within the interior.

As a reminder, the incident is only releasing one morning update each day. You can find more information and mid-day updates on the incident Facebook: www.facebook.com/battlemountaincomplex2024/

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

Public Land 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. More information here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

The Umatilla National Forest has implemented a closure for public lands within the Heppner Ranger District and the North Fork John Day Ranger District. More information at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1194462 and https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768.

FIRE AT A GLANCE
Total Estimated Complex Size: 178,171 acres
Monkey Creek Fire: 173,687
North Fork Owens: 4,484 acres
Total Containment 14%
Cause: Under Investigation
Estimated Cost: $29,200,000

County Evacuations
Umatilla: Alerts  Facebook
Grant:   Alerts
Morrow:       RAPTOR GIS

Road Closures
For road closures, visit:
https://www.tripcheck.com
Public Land Closures
See above for closures.
Fire Restrictions
www.bmidc.org

All Resources
Hand Crews: 67
Engines: 85
Water Tenders: 37
Dozers: 29
Helicopters: 4 Total Personnel: 2,010
ODF Incident Commanders:
Joe Hessel Incident Management Team 1 Battle Mountain Complex Zone I
Tyler McCarty Incident Management Team 3 Battle Mountain Complex Zone II
OSFM Incident Commander:
Rob Root
OSFM Incident Management Team
Battle Mountain Complex Zone I

 

Archives

Skip to content