New wildfire burns 1,200 acres near Monument

A new wildfire spotted Friday afternoon has burned 1,200 to 1,500 acres nine miles south of the Grant County community of Monument, the Oregon Department of Forestry reported.

The Lost Hubcap Fire was reported around 1:30 p.m. Friday burning in grass, sagebrush and juniper fuels in the Central Oregon District’s John Day Unit.

ODF officials said two heavy air tankers, four single-engine air tankers and one helicopter were fighting the blaze, along with six fire engines, four bulldozers and district hand crews.

Additional resources from the nearby, nearly contained 65,000-acre South Fork Complex are assisting in the fight,.

Officials said the Monument and John Day rural fire departments were successfully protecting residences threatened by the wind-driven fire.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.