Town of Spray at a Level 2 evacuation from Lone Rock Fire
By Logan Bagett on Thursday, July 18th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
SPRAY – According to the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office, on Wednesday night, a Level 3—GO! evacuation notice was issued for the City of Spray due to rapid and unpredictable fire behavior from the Lone Rock Fire in the vicinity.
After some consideration and monitoring, the evacuation notice for the City of Spray was downgraded last night to Level 2—BE SET evacuation notice. Residents are asked to escape toward the town of Fossil should it reach a Level 3 again.
Here is the latest release from Lone Rock Fire officials:
Location: 10 miles SE of Condon, Oregon| Size: 77, 020 acres | Containment: 10%
Cause: Under Investigation | Start Date: July 13, 2024 | Total Personnel: 607
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orprd-lone-rock-fire
Fire Information Line: 541-208-4369 | Email: 2024.0404rvlonerock@firenet.gov
Condon, Oregon — The Lone Rock Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy by the unified command of the Northwest (NW) Team 2 and Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Red Team.
Yesterday’s Activities: Significant fire behavior emerged yesterday afternoon, leading to notable fire growth to the south. The fire’s southward growth into timber fuels increases the likelihood of crown fires and long-range spotting. In the northwest area of the fire, firefighters made progress in securing the fire line. Last night, the fire remained highly active in the southern area, crossing Forest Service Road 21. Firefighters continued to hold the fire north of Forest Service Road 25. Firefighters worked through the night providing structure protection to the surrounding communities.
OSFM resources worked to mop up lines and further secure the community of Lonerock. Crews also worked to access and protect structures on the southern flank of the fire, as activity picked up in the afternoon.
Today’s Activities: Firefighters are prepared to encounter increased fire behavior this afternoon. Wildland fire crews will continue to monitor, patrol, and secure the north and northwest area. Today the remaining six structural task forces will be bolstered by a complement of 20 engines that are assigned to the Lone Rock Fire. Structural crews will be working in the community of Lonerock, and along the 25 Road on the southern front of the fire.
Firefighters will work through the night to protect structures and suppress the fire, focusing additional resources on the more active southeastern area.
Evacuations:
- Level-3 Evacuations – GO NOW! Level-3 Evacuate immediately for the following areas:
- Gilliam County: residences South of Lonerock. An evacuation center is set up at memorial hall in Condon. For more information on evacuations, visit Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page
- Wheeler County: Township 6, Range 24. A temporary evacuation point has been set up at the Wheeler County Fairgrounds (720 E 3rd Street in Fossil, OR). Showers and public restrooms are available on site. For more information about the evacuation point, call 2-1-1.
- Morrow County: from the West County Line along Buttermilk Canyon to HWY 207, Mile Post 10 South of Hardman to the South Morrow County line. The Red Cross will be setting up a temporary shelter at the Heppner Elementary School. For more information on evacuations, visit Morrow County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page
- Level-2 Emergency Alert – GET SET! Level-2 Be set to evacuate at a moment’s notice for the following areas:
- Gilliam County: residences North of Lonerock.
- Wheeler County: community of Spray. A temporary evacuation center has been set up at the Wheeler County Fairgrounds (720 E 3rd Street in Fossil, OR). Showers and public restrooms are available on site. For more information about the evacuation point, call 2-1-1.
Weather: Hot, dry conditions are expected to persist. The southwest morning winds are expected to shift to northwest gusting winds this afternoon. This will contribute to very active fire behavior in the afternoon.
Smoke Information: Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for local air quality information.
Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place above the Lone Rock Fire area. Unauthorized drone flights (UAS) pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized UAS are in the area, allowing wildfires to grow larger.
~~Images courtesy of Lone Rock Fire Information~~
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Below, find the release from the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office:
(From the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office)
11:29 PM UPDATE: Earlier this evening, a Level 3 (GO – Evacuate Now) evacuation notice was issued for the City of Spray due to rapid and unpredictable fire behavior from the Lone Rock Fire in the vicinity.
After careful consideration and monitoring of the situation, the evacuation notice for the City of Spray is being downgraded to Level 2 (BE SET – Be Ready to Evacuate). This decision is based on the current assessment of fire activity and efforts by firefighting personnel.
Residents within the City of Spray limits should remain vigilant and be prepared to evacuate at short notice. While the immediate evacuation order is lifted, it is crucial to understand that the danger posed by the fire still exists. Only residents who are comfortable and confident in their ability to stay safely should choose to remain.
Ultimately, the decision to evacuate or stay rests with each individual adult resident.
Please assess your situation carefully and prioritize your safety. Stay connected and monitor your phones and local media for any updates or changes in the fire situation.
The Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office continues to closely monitor the fire situation and will provide updates as necessary.
We urge all residents to remain prepared.
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(Press Release from FEMA)
FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Lone Rock Fire in Oregon
BOTHELL, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Lone Rock Fire burning in Gilliam, Morrow and Wheeler counties, Oregon.
The state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Deputy Administrator Vincent J. Maykovich on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 12:10 a.m. PT. He determined that the Lone Rock Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the third FMAG declared in 2024 to help fight Oregon wildfires.
At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Spray, Lonerock, Hardman and Winlock. The fire also threatened power lines, cell towers, rangeland and agricultural assets in the area.
FMAGs are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.
In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $985,111 will be available to Oregon through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area.
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