Umatilla National Forest July 19 fire update
By Dan Thesman on Friday, July 19th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – (News release from Umatilla National Forest) Firefighters continue to actively suppress multiple fires across the Umatilla National Forest. With the high temperatures, dry conditions, and lightning strikes from Wednesday July 17, fire officials continue to monitor for new ignitions. Fire suppression coordination and management continues with help from the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Washington Department of Natural Resources along with county and district resources.
The Lone Rock Fire is approximately 83,922 acres with a 40% containment located near Lonerock, Oregon. Very active fire behavior persisted yesterday expanding the fire east and west in the Heppner Ranger District as well as pushing further south. A complex incident management team has been working under non-favorable weather conditions including wind and high temperatures. Ground crews continue to focus on structural protection and are using dozers to suppress fire spread. For current information, please contact the Fire Information Line: 541-208-4369, email: 2024.0404rvlonerock@firenet.gov, or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lone-Rock-Fire-Information/61562972126530/
The Cougar Creek Fire is approximately 4,895 acres and is located 1 mile west of Hwy 129 and Grand Ronde River intersection, 40 miles southwest of Clarkston. A complex incident management team took command of the fire as of yesterday. The fire is expected to spread primarily north and northwest today. Additional air and ground resources are on order to support the current ground crews building containment lines. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. For current information, please contact the Fire Information Line: (509) 210-2928, email: 2024.cougarcreek@firenet.gov, or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562674513551
The Battle Mountain Complex currently consists of the 930-acre North Fork Owens Fire and the 856-acre Snake Fire with 0% containment. The fires are located 6 miles northwest and 6 miles southwest of Ukiah, Oregon respectively. The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3 took command of the fire this morning. Hand crews, engines, water tenders, dozers, and helicopters are being used to suppress the fire. The complex has reached the North Fork John Day Ranger District on the southeast edge of the Snake Fire. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Current information can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562937060219
The Buck Mountain Fire is approximately 2 acres and located in the Grouse Mountain Area, 21 miles south of Walla Walla, WA. It is 0% contained and located in difficult terrain. Ground crews and aviation resources are actively suppressing the fire. Fire managers are assessing the situation for further resource needs. Buck Mountain Fire is a different incident than Buck Creek Fire which was 100% contained on July 12, 2024.
Several new fires across the Umatilla National Forest have been identified, many due to the July 17 lightning strikes. Resources are being deployed at this time to address these fires including rappelers, jumpers, and patrollers. Resource distribution is actively being negotiated as dynamic fire behavior in the region persists.
North Fork John Day Ranger District:
- The ¼-acre Upper Winom Fire located in the Winom Butte Area, 15 miles southeast of Ukiah, Oregon.
- The 25-acre Double Snag Fire in the Winom Creek Area, 11 miles southeast of Ukiah, Oregon.
- The 15-acre Big Creek Fire located 12 Miles southeast of Ukiah, Oregon.
- The ¼-acre Winom Butte Fire in the Winom Creek Area, 14 miles southeast of Ukiah, Oregon.
- The 0.1-acre Jungle Fire in the South Canyon Area, 15 miles northeast of Ukiah, Oregon.
Walla Walla Ranger District:
- The 1-acre Rim Rock Fire in the Blalock Mountain Area, 14 miles south of Walla Walla, Washington.
- The 0.1-acre Milkshake Fire in the Paradise Ridge Area, 15 miles southeast of Walla Walla, Washington.
Pomeroy Ranger District:
- The 0.1-acre INC 247 PRD Fire, (currently unnamed) in the Third Creek Area, 22 miles east of Walla Walla, Washington.
Current fire danger rating is at EXTREME and public use restrictions phase B for Umatilla National Forest is in effect.
More information regarding restrictions, please contact:
Umatilla National Forest:
Information Hotline: Toll-Free (877) 958-9663
X: @UmatillaNF
The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.
Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.
