Nevada IMT 3 takes command of Bologna Fire near Monument

By on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories

MONUMENT – (UPDATE 7/22 @ 11:00 a.m. from Nevada Incident Management Team 3)

Bologna Fire Update

July 22, 2026

Contact Fire Information: 541-901-8033

2026.Bologna@firenet.gov

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BvwdmyvaU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Fire Statistics:

  • Start Date: July 16, 2026
  • Cause: Lightning/Natural
  • Size: 2,255 acres
  • Containment: 0%
  • Location: 7 miles NE of Kimberly, OR

Resources Assigned:

  • Total Personnel: 281
  • Crews: 10
  • Engines: 8
  • Heavy Equipment: 17

Current Situation: The Nevada Team 3 maintains operational command of the incident, with wildland firefighters actively engaged on the ground through dry short grass, brush, and timber understory. Firefighters are observing isolated group tree torching, backing and flanking fire behavior, which means flames are creeping steadily against or across the prevailing wind and slopes. Air resources are limited but we have been able to partner with neighboring incidents to share air resources. Because dry grass burns quickly, the fire is spreading easily across the surface, especially during active afternoon hours and overnight as daily wind shifts develop.

Fire crews are working directly along the fire’s edge in steep, rugged terrain to build secure containment lines. Heavy equipment is being used to clear secondary contingency lines ahead of the fire as a backup layer of protection. Operations are focused on direct fire suppression tactics on the eastern and northern sides of the fire while continuing to secure the southern edges of the perimeter while carefully protecting public lands, local private property and sensitive areas of concern. Protecting human life—both for community members and responding crews—remains the absolute highest priority.

Emergency notifications and evacuation updates are coordinated through local Emergency Management. Residents near the fire area are encouraged to stay informed through official fire information.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Weather conditions over the next two days will continue to drive active fire growth. Relative humidity will remain low, dipping into the mid-to-upper teens on Wednesday and low 20s on Thursday. There is a slight 15% chance of thunderstorms both days. While the risk of rain remains low (with only a 6% chance of wetting rains), these storms could bring sudden, unpredictable gusty winds ranging from 25 to 35 mph. Local daily winds will shift throughout the afternoon and evening, turning toward the northwest at 5 to 8 mph in the late afternoons. Overnight humidity recovery will be modest, hovering around 50%, which will allow the fire to remain active through the night. For the latest information regarding smoke and air quality see https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Evacuations and Closures: Refer to your local county Sheriff’s office for current evacuations information:

Safety:

Officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating is at HIGH for Umatilla National Forest and Public Use Restrictions Phase B are in effect on the forest. Please remember unauthorized drone flights can shut down aerial firefighting operations, making fires grow larger, threatening more lives, property, and critical habitats. If You Fly, We Can’t!

Nevada Team 3

Photo of air resource dipping bucket into water source for wildfire use.

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PREVIOUS: Fire Statistics:

Start Date: July 16, 2026

Cause: Lightning/Natural

Size: 2,136 acres

Containment: 0%

Location: 7 miles NE of Kimberly, OR

Resources Assigned:

Total Personnel: 243

Crews: 10

Engines: 8

Heavy Equipment: 8

Current Situation:

The Nevada Team 3 officially assumed command of the Bologna Fire July 21st, at 6AM. Ground crews and limited aviation assets made significant tactical progress with the resources available. Firefighters are utilizing direct suppression tactics along the perimeter to protect nearby human life, communities, and critical infrastructure. Fire behavior remains moderate, characterized primarily by creeping and smoldering in timber and short grass fuels. Local Emergency Management personnel are closely coordinated with incident leadership to maintain timely, unified public safety communications and effective emergency responses.

Incident management operations are focused on aggressive, direct fire line construction where access and safety conditions allow. Fire crews are working in divisions, which is directly mitigating risk to keep the fire on public lands and away from adjacent private lands. Operational priorities include direct containment, line securing, and structure & Resource Protection.

A high pressure system over the region will drive a distinct warming and drying trend across the fire area through mid-week. Winds, driven by diurnal patterns, are expected to persist, with light morning drainage winds shifting out of the north and northwest each afternoon. Unstable atmospheric conditions will build over the incident Tuesday through Wednesday. The combination of increased heat, lower relative humidity, and building pressure through Wednesday could lead to increased fire activity in unburned interior pockets.

Emergency notifications and evacuation updates are coordinated through local Emergency Management. Residents near the fire area are encouraged to stay informed through official fire information.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures are forecasted to be 89-94 degrees today with winds becoming NW 5 to 10 mph by 2pm and transition in the evening to N winds 5 to 10 mph lightning up by 1 am. For the latest information regarding smoke and air quality see https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Evacuations and Closures: Refer to your local county Sheriff’s office for current evacuations information:

Morrow County Emergency Management: https://www.facebook.com/MorrowCountyEM

Morrow County is in the Level 1 – Be Ready

Safety:

Officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating is at HIGH for Umatilla National Forest and Public Use Restrictions Phase B are in effect on the forest.

Please remember unauthorized drone flights can shut down aerial firefighting operations, making fires grow larger, threatening more lives, property, and critical habitats. If You Fly, We Can’t!

Elkhorn Media Group