Fire near Monument is 65 percent contained
By Terry Murry on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
The following is a news release from the Umatilla National Forest:
Firefighters continued securing containment lines on the Lovlett Corral Fire yesterday, which is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Monument, Oregon on the Heppner Ranger District.
The Lovlett Corral Fire is approximately 137 acres and is now 65% contained. The change in acreage is due to updated mapping of the fire perimeter for a more accurate number of acres burned. Weather conditions tested the control lines yesterday with high temperatures, low relative humidity and increased wind, but suppression efforts were able to hold the fire within its current footprint. Firefighters continued to strengthen containment lines yesterday and completed mop up activities further into the interior of the fire perimeter. Mopping up includes searching for pockets of heat, digging out the heat source, and cooling with water. Where containment lines are secured, firefighters also completed suppression repair (such as constructing water bars to help reduce erosion potential) based on identified rehabilitation needs.
Today, firefighters will continue to secure the fire perimeter and mop up hot spots where heavy fuels continue to smolder and still pose a threat to containment lines. Pockets of unburned fuel within the fire’s interior may produce smoke as the fire moves through those areas. Firefighters will also continue implementing suppression repairs today where containment lines are secured and assess for hazards along the roads.
Current resources assigned to the fire include two engines, four crews, and four water tenders. Based on operational needs, additional resources will demobilize today to be available to respond to other fires.
The High Desert Interagency Type 3 Incident Management team will transition command of the Lovlett Corral Fire back to the Heppner Ranger District to manage under a Type 4 organization on Sunday, July 4. Most of the resources currently assigned will be released at the end of today, with approximately 50 personnel remaining on the fire tomorrow to complete containment and suppression repair.
Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the week. Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at HIGH and public use restrictions involving chainsaw use, smoking and off-road travel are in effect.
