A mega-fire, up close: We get a look behind the scenes at the 178,000-acre Battle Mountain Complex
Isabella Warren was on the fire lines; her report tonight on NewsChannel 21 Fox @ 4
UKIAH, Ore. (KTVZ)-- The Battle Mountain Complex is a coordinated effort to stop the Monkey Creek, Snake, and Boneyard fires in Eastern Oregon, just one group of fires among the more than 100 major blazes that broke out around the state during the fiery month of July.
Crews have been battling the mega-fire - one of several to erupt around the state and burn over 100,000 acres - for two weeks now, and like other blazes, the rough terrain and hot, dry weather have made firefighting difficult. So far, the fires have burned over 178,000 acres, with about 20% containment. And it's cost over $33 million to fight.
Isabella Warren visited the firelines to get a behind-the-scenes look at the firefighting effort. Her special report airs tonight on NewsChannel 21 at Four on Fox.
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Here's Thursday morning's update from fire officials:
Battle Mountain Complex Morning Update for August 1, 2024:
Firefighters expand mop-op operations ahead of rising temperatures and fire weather watch.
Mop-up and suppression operations continue to go well for firefighters across the Battle Mountain Complex. In Zone I, crews secured fire perimeters in the south near Steet Mountain, in the west near Turner Mountain and in the north near Tupper Butte and show minimal fire activity.
While the majority of Zone I entered a heavy mop-up phase, firefighters working on the southwest perimeter, near Cupper Canyon, responded to several spot fires inside a pocket of unburned vegetation within the main body of the fire. Firefighters used strategic firing operations to secure the rest of this area overnight and mitigate any future risk of the fire flaring up in this area as officials expect temperatures to rise to 100-110 degree this weekend. By completing this work overnight, firefighters were able to conduct the operations safely when low wind speeds, increased humidity, and milder temperatures prevented spot fires and increases in fire activity.
Officials expect critical weather to return over the next few days, with a heat advisory in effect from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. today and a fire weather watch arriving Friday. The change in weather will also bring unstable conditions with the possibility of thunderstorms Saturday through Tuesday. The saving grace may be the addition of precipitation with the forecasted storm event.
Today, resources across Zone I and II will continue mopping up, monitoring and patrolling areas of line that are already out and are no longer holding heat, especially around structures.
The focus in Zone II remains the Potamus Drainage as dozer and hand line start to come together on both sides of the creek within the canyon. Crews and heavy equipment worked in unison with helicopter air support to stay ahead of any flareups and spot fires. Crews will continue to strengthen lines in the area with helicopter support as needed.
Evacuations:
Evacuation levels have decreased in many areas. Learn more about current evacuation levels for each county at:
• For Umatilla County, follow www.facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff or sign up for Umatilla County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/index/2590041373147145.
• For Grant County, visit the RAPTOR arcgis site or sign up for alerts at: https://member.everbridge.net/index/825462649520134.
• For Morrow County, visit https://experience.arcgis.com/.../de78333b0d2544f7a320142...
Public Land Closures:
The Bureau of Land Management has closed public lands along the John Day River from Kimberly to Dale, and from Kimberly to Service Creek. More information here: https://www.blm.gov/.../oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.
The Umatilla National Forest has implemented a closure for public lands within the Heppner Ranger District and the North Fork John Day Ranger District. More information at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/news-events/... and https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/....
FIRE AT A GLANCE
Total Estimated Complex Size: 178,171 acres
Monkey Creek Fire: 173,687
North Fork Owens: 4,484 acres
Total Containment 19%
Cause: Under Investigation
Estimated Cost: $33,325,411
All Resources
Hand Crews: 66
Engines: 87
Water Tenders: 39
Dozers: 28
Helicopters: 4
Total Personnel: 2,009
