Level 1 Evacuation lifted for Crockets Knob Fire
By Logan Bagett on Friday, September 9th, 2022 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
GREENHORN, OR – Regarding the latest on the Crockets Knob Fire, Public Information Officer Joel Brumm says things are starting to ramp down:
“Our team will be timing-out this Saturday night, and we’ll be returning the fire to a local Type 3 team as we go into more of the suppression/repair phase. We’ve kind of corralled the fire. We’re finishing up mop-up over the next few days, and there will still be a lot of work to be done.”
Sheriff Todd McKinley, in coordination with the USFS Pacific NW Team 12, has lifted the evacuation alert for the Crockets Knob Fire. This includes the road closure on County Road 20. Find the official update posted below:
(Press Release from Northwest Incident Management Team 12)
Crockets Knob Fire Update
NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12
Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar
September 09, 2022
Weather: Cool temperatures will continue today with calmer winds. Temperatures will be in the mid-70s this afternoon with wind gusts up to 18 mph. Conditions will still be dry with relative humidity dropping into the low teens.
Operations: Yesterday crews began suppression repair along the FSR 45 and other containment lines. Crews are repairing the damage caused by fighting the fire. These repairs include adding water bars to containment lines. The water bars will help restore natural drainage to areas impacted by firefighting and reduce the potential for sediment to impact local streams and rivers. Crews will also continue removing excess hoses and equipment along containment lines.
Firefighters conducted mop up in the northeast and eastern portion of the fire’s edge yesterday and will continue today mopping up any lingering heat near containment lines. Crews monitored and patrolled containment lines along the southern edge of the fire. The contingency line was completed along FSR 45 between FSR 537 and Sharp Ridge / Indian Rock Trailhead yesterday. Some firefighters and helicopters assisted the Malheur National Forest with new fires in the area yesterday and will continue today providing assistance as needed. These small new fires are fully or nearly contained at this time.
Closures and Evacuations: Grant County has lifted the Level One evacuation advisory in the area of the fire, and County Road 20 (Middle Fork Road) has been fully reopened. The closure is still in effect on the Malheur and Umatilla National Forests today. For complete closure information, please go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/notices/?cid=STELPRD3845529
Smoke may be visible to nearby communities and Forest visitors. Smoke and air quality impacts within the state can be monitored by visiting: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com
The Malheur National Forest changed the Public Use Restriction to Phase C on the Blue Mountain and Prairie City Ranger Districts today. No campfires or personal chainsaw use is allowed. For more information, please go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/fire
The Umatilla National Forest remains in at Phase B, which allows campfires only in designated campgrounds and recreation sites.
The public plays a valuable role in preventing wildfires. Vehicle operation, equipment use and outdoor burning (including campfires) are the top three ways humans cause wildfires on the landscape. The public can help us by making good decisions when they recreate on public lands and by following local fire restrictions.
Quick Facts:
SIZE: 4,331 Acres
CONTAINMENT: 50%
CAUSE: Lightning
PERSONNEL: 582
LOCATION: 19 miles north of Prairie City
FIRE INFORMATION:
541-625-0892
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CrocketsKnobFire
INCIWEB: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8355/
TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION
There is a Temporary Flight Restriction over the Crockets Knob Fire area. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone – if you fly, we can’t.
