Grant County wildfire evacuation zone updates

By Logan Bagett on Thursday, September 19th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories

GRANT COUNTY – (Update from Grant County Emergency Management) –

UPDATE – 9/19

Media Release:

Improved Weather conditions and fire behavior allows for all Level 3 evacuation zones to be removed for Grant County.

All Level 1 zones have been removed, with the exception of the zone extending South from Hwy 26 between Fields Creek and Moon Creek.

All current Level 2 zones have been removed.

All current Level 3 zones have been downgraded to Level 2, “Be Set”.

The City of Dayville is no longer in an evacuation zone. The Antone Ranch Rd (CR40), South
Fork Rd (CR 47) and Fields Creek Rd (CR 21) remain closed to all but local and emergency traffic.

For regular updates, visit the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Grant-County-Emergency-Management-100068819321423/; call the information line at 541-575-2885; or email the Emergency Operations Center at GCEOC@grantcounty-or.gov.Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map: https://oregon-oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

UPDATE – 9/18

Rain and improved weather conditions continue to allow downgrades in evacuation zones for the Rail Ridge fire:

“The following Level 3 evacuation zones have been downgraded to Level 2.”

“The zone South of Cougar Gulch, North of FS Rd 24 and East of South Fork Rd.”

“The zone North of the Izee-Paulina Hwy, West of South Fork Rd and East of the County line.”

“The zone North of Johnson Creek, West of South Fork Rd and South of Hwy 26”.

UPDATE – 9/17

Media Release:

Rain and improved weather conditions continue to allow downgrades in evacuation zones for the

Rail Ridge fire:

The following Level 1 zones have been removed:
-Between Fields Creek and Moon Creek, South of Hwy 26

-South of FS 2170 and West of Dans Creek

-East of South Fork Rd, West of FS Rd 24 and Softwater Spring and North of FS Rd 6370

The following Level 2 zones have been downgraded to Level :

South of Hwy26 between Fields Creek and Moon Creek
South of the 2170 rd and north of FS 250
south of FS 24 and East of Vester Creek Rd
South of FS 24, West of Vester Creek Rd to South Fork Rd

The American Red Cross shelter in Mt. Vernon is now closed.

Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map:
https://oregon-oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

*****

UPDATE – 9/16

Media Release:

Rain and improved weather conditions lead to an increase in containment line and a downgrade in evacuation zones on the Rail Ridge Fire:

On the Northern end of the Rail Ridge fire the level 1 evacuation zone North of Highway 26 has been removed.

On the South West end of the fire the level 1 evacuation zone between Swamp Creek Road and the Izee-Paulina Highway has been removed.

Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map:
https://oregon-oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

*****

UPDATE – (9/12)

Rain and improved weather conditions lead to an increase in containment line and a downgrade in evacuation zones on the Rail Ridge Fire:

The Level 3 zone that was east of the South Fork, south of FS Rd 24 and north of FS Rd 6370 has been downgraded to Level 2.

Also, the Level 2 zone north of the intersection of the Izee-Paulina Hwy) and the Izee-Burns Rd has been downgraded to Level 1. The Izee-Paulina Hwy is now open to normal traffic. County roads north of the Izee Paulina Hwy remain closed.

Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map: https://oregon-oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

*****

UPDATE – (9/11)

Due to increased fire activity the area east of the South Fork, areas south of FS24 and north of FS 6370 has been upgraded to Level 3, “Go Now.”

Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map: https://oregon-oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

*****

UPDATE (9/10) –

Media Release:

Rail Ridge Fire Evacuation Zone increases to Level 2:

The Level 1 evacuation zone located North of County Road 67 in the South and West of County Rd 63 in the East and North of the Izee Ranch has been upgraded to Level 2 due to fire activity.

Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map:
https://oregon-oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

UPDATE – (9/7 at 3:15 p.m.)

Media Release:

Evacuation zones update for the Rail Ridge Fire – Grant County

Rail Ridge Fire in Southwest Grant County.
A Level 2, “Be Set” alert has been added South of Hwy 26 from Fields Creek in the West to Moon Creek in the East, extending South to Murders Creek.

A level 1 ‘Be Ready” alert has been added north of Hwy 26 from Picture Gorge in the West to Belshaw Creek in the East, extending approximately 5 miles to the North.

A Level 1 “Be Ready” alert zone has been added South of Hwy 26 from Moon Creek in the West to Riley Creek in the East, extending South to Murders Creek.

The American Red Cross has opened a Temporary Evacuation Point at the Mt. Vernon Community Hall, 640 S. Ingle St, Mt. Vernon for anyone impacted by the evacuation. There is room for dry camping with a limited number of large animals. The Grant County Fairgrounds can also accommodate large animals.

For regular updates, visit the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/p/Grant-County-Emergency-Management-100068819321423/; call the

information line at 541-575-2885; or email the Emergency Operations Center at GCEOC@grantcounty-
or.gov.

Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map: https://oregon-
oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

UPDATE – (9/7 at 1:15 p.m.)

Media Release:

Evacuation zones update for the Rail Ridge Fire – Grant County

Rail Ridge Fire in Southwest Grant County.

The Level 3, “Go Now” alert has been extended north to Hwy 26 from the Wheeler County Line in the west, to Fields Creek Rd in the south. This includes the City of Dayville and Widows Creek basin.

The American Red Cross is opening a Temporary Evacuation Point opened at the Mt. Vernon Community Hall, 640 S. Ingle St, Mt. Vernon for anyone impacted by the evacuation. The Grant County Fairgrounds can accommodate large animals.

For regular updates, visit the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/p/Grant-County-Emergency-Management-100068819321423/; call the

information line at 541-575-2885; or email the Emergency Operations Center at GCEOC@grantcounty-
or.gov.

Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map: https://oregon-
oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

UPDATE – (9/6 at 7:45 p.m.)

IZEE-PAULINA HIGHWAY CLOSED

GRANT COUNTY – (From Grant County Emergency Management)

Due to fire activity in both Grant and Crook Counties the Izee-Paulina Hwy, also known as Grant County Rd 63, is now closed to all but local and emergency traffic.

UPDATE – (9/6 at 9 a.m.)

Rail Ridge Fire in Southwest Grant County is 107,371 acres.

The Level 3, “Go Now” alert has been extended northeast to Fields Creek from Murderers Creek in the south, to Wickiup Creek in the north.

The Level 2, “Be Set” alert has been extended northeast from FS 2150 in the south, to Hwy 26 in the north; and from Flat Creek in the west to Fields Creek in the east. This includes all residents in the Widows Creek basin.

Planning for a Red Cross Shelter in Mt. Vernon is complete. We will update you when and if it is opened.

For regular updates, visit the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/p/Grant-County-Emergency-Management-100068819321423/; call the

information line at 541-575-2885; or email the Emergency Operations Center at GCEOC@grantcounty-
or.gov.

Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map: https://oregon-
oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

******

UPDATE – (9/5 at 4 p.m.)

Media Release:

Evacuation zones update for the Rail Ridge Fire – Grant County

Rail Ridge Fire in Southwest Grant County.

The Level 3, “Go Now” alert has been extended South to FS Rd 24, from the South Fork in the West to the South Fork of Murders Creek in the East.

The Level 2, “Be Set” alert has been expanded to South from the South Fork in the West to Indian Creek in the South to the South Fork of Murders Creek in the East.

For regular updates, visit the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/p/Grant-County-Emergency-Management-100068819321423/; call the

information line at 541-575-2885; or email the Emergency Operations Center at GCEOC@grantcounty-
or.gov.

Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map: https://oregon-
oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

UPDATE – (9/4)–

Media Release:

Evacuation zones update for the Rail Ridge Fire – Grant County

Rail Ridge Fire in Southwest Grant County.
The Level 3, “Go Now” alert has been extended North along South Fork Rd to Smokey Creek on East and Johnson Creek in the West.

The Level 2, “Be Set” alert has been expanded to include everything north of Smokey Creek and Johnson Creek to Hwy 26, to include the town of Dayville, East to Marks Creek.

We have reports of up to 6 secondary residences destroyed, along with other agricultural
infrastructure.

For regular updates, visit the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/p/Grant-County-Emergency-Management-100068819321423/; call the

information line at 541-575-2885; or email the Emergency Operations Center at GCEOC@grantcounty-
or.gov.

Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map: https://oregon-
oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

*****

UPDATE – 9/3 at 12 p.m.

Evacuation zones update for the Rail Ridge Fire – Grant County

Rail Ridge and Powell Fire in Southwest Grant County.
The Level 3, “Go Now” alert has been extended south and West of South Fork Rd to the Izee Paulina Hwy.
The Level 2, “Be Set” alert has been expanded to include everything north of FS Rd 6370 and FS Rd 24, East to FS
Rd 21 .
A Level 1, “Be Ready” has been added from the Crook County line, North of Swamp Creek Lane and South of the
Izee / Paulina Hwy, Northeast to FS Rd 24.

For regular updates, visit the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/p/Grant-County-Emergency-Management-100068819321423/; call the

information line at 541-575-2885; or email the Emergency Operations Center at GCEOC@grantcounty-
or.gov.

Reference the image below and use the following link to access the active GIS map: https://oregon-
oem-geo.hub.arcgis.com/

In addition, South Fork Rd between Hwy 26 at Dayville is closed to all but local traffic from MP 1 to the Izee/Paulina Hwy.