Gilliam County sheriff says firefighters saved community of Lonerock, ‘inches away from complete devastation’
(Update: Sheriff statement, Monday updates)
CONDON, Ore. (KTVZ) – Gilliam County's 2-day-old Lone Rock Fire grew to nearly 52,000 acres by Monday morning and was still spreading fast, prompting new evacuation notices and closures. But Sheriff Gary Bettencourt says firefighters saved the small town of Lonerock from "a catastrophic event."
Gilliam County Sheriff Gary Bettencourt Provides Statement Following City of Lonerock's Close Call with Fire
July 15, 2024
Good afternoon, residents of Gilliam County,
Early this morning, the Lonerock Fire posed an unprecedented threat to the City of Lonerock. I am relieved to report that through the exceptional teamwork of the entire community and the dedicated efforts of local, state, and federal fire resources, we managed to avert what could have been a catastrophic event. The fire came dangerously close to the city and was mere inches away from complete devastation.
I am amazed and deeply grateful for the coordinated response and the resilience demonstrated by our community members, firefighters, and emergency personnel. Their swift action and tireless efforts undoubtedly saved lives and prevented significant destruction.
Though Lonerock was spared, this fire continues to grow into Wheeler and Morrow County, exhibiting erratic behavior.
The City of Lonerock will remain at a Level 3 Evacuation until further notice. This is to protect our citizens and support the efforts of local, state, and federal fire crews who will remain dedicated to monitoring and extinguishing spot fires.
Wildland Fire Safety Instructions:
As we continue to monitor the situation, it is crucial for everyone to remain vigilant and prepared. Please adhere to the following safety instructions:
- Stay Informed: Stay updated on the latest information and advisories from local authorities and emergency services. Monitor local news outlets and official social media channels for updates on the fire's progression and any evacuation notices.
- Follow Evacuation Orders: If evacuation orders are issued, evacuate immediately as directed by law enforcement and emergency personnel. Have an evacuation plan ready and know your evacuation routes.
- Prepare Your Property: Take proactive measures to protect your property from wildland fires. Clear debris from roofs and gutters, trim vegetation around your home, and maintain a defensible space.
- Emergency Supplies: Keep an emergency kit ready with essential items such as medications, important documents, clothing, and non-perishable food and water for each family member and pet.
- Air Quality Awareness: Be aware of changing air quality conditions due to smoke from wildfires. Limit outdoor activities if air quality is poor, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Report any suspicious activity or signs of wildfires immediately to local authorities. Early detection can help prevent fires from spreading uncontrollably.
The safety and well-being of our community remain our top priority.
This community always steps up in times of need and let’s continue to take care of each other and remain connected.
Thank you for your cooperation and stay safe.
Sheriff Gary Bettencourt
Gilliam County Sheriff's Office
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Monday afternoon update:
Size: 51,850 acres
Location: 10 miles SE of Condon, Oregon
County: Gilliam
Start Date: July 13, 2024
Containment: 0%
Cause: Under Investigation
Total Personnel: 189
Lonerock, Oregon — The Lone Rock Fire began on July 13, and is being managed under a full suppression strategy. The Southern Area Gray Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Fulton Jeansonne, assumed command of the fire on Sunday, July 14, at 8:00 PM local time.
Yesterday’s Activities – There was significant fire activity on Sunday and overnight. Fire personnel were actively engaged in suppression efforts as well as scout and identify possible fire containment lines. Helicopters, large air tankers, and single-engine air tankers dropped water and retardant to slow fire spread.
A team effort including South Gilliam Rural Fire Protection District, Gilliam County Sheriffs Office, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Oregon State Fire Marshal tirelessly worked to hold and defend the community of Lone Rock through the night.
Today’s Activities – Fire crews will continue to build on prior suppression efforts. Any flare-ups and hot spots will be extinguished. Increased fire behavior is possible today with continued hot, dry, and windy conditions.
Weather – Sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 7-13 mph becoming west in the afternoon 10-15.
Evacuations – GO NOW! Level 3 Evacuate immediately from the community of Lonerock, on July 14. An evacuation center is set up at memorial hall in Condon. For more information on evacuations, visit the Gilliam County Sheriffs Office Facebook page. No campfires of any kind are allowed on Bureau of Land Management lands.
Smoke from the Lone Rock Fire continues, and maps and air quality information is always available on https://fire.airnow.gov/. Please help firefighters by following all local regulations, found here: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx. Additional wildfire prevention tips are available at www.keeporegongreen.org.
If you fly, we can’t. 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.
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Wheeler County Sheriff's Office: Wildfire Alert: Level 3 - GO NOW - Evacuate immediately!
This is a wildfire emergency alert from Wheeler County Sheriff's Office. Level 3 - GO NOW!
Evacuate immediately from the following areas: TOWNSHIP 6 SOUTH, RANGE 23 AND 24 EAST.
Esta es una alerta de incendio forestal de Wheeler County Sheriff's Office.
Nivel 3 - ¡VAYASE AHORA! Evacúe de inmediato de las siguientes zonas: TOWNSHIP 6 SOUTH, RANGE 23 AND 24 EAST.
Level 3 - GO NOW means Leave Immediately!
There is extreme danger in your area - evacuate now. Leave without delay, it is unsafe to stay and threatens the safety of you, your family, and emergency responders.
Your life could be in great danger.
Emergency services personnel may not be available to help you if you choose to stay.
Do not stop to gather your belongings or protect your home. Follow your emergency plan.
Leave as fast as safely possible. Drive carefully. Turn on your headlights.
Follow traffic safety warnings and instructions from local authorities.
Use TripCheck.com or call 511 for road closure information.
After you evacuate:
Do not return to the area until public safety officials announce the area is safe.
Continue to check for updates through local city and county websites, social media, TV, and radio.
Once you are safe, check with friends and family.
Visit wildfire.oregon.gov for more info.
If you will need assistance evacuating persons with additional needs and/or animals/livestock, call: 541-384-2080.
If you are experiencing an immediate life safety issue call 911.
Wheeler County Sheriff's Office and Frontier Regional 911
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. Level 2 - BE SET to evacuate from the following areas:
TOWNSHIP 6 RANGE 22, TOWNSHIP 7 RANGE 22, TOWNSHIP 7 RANGE 23, TOWNSHIP 7 RANGE 24, TOWNSHIP 7 RANGE 25.
Esta es una alerta de incendio forestal de Wheeler County Sheriff's Office. Nivel 2 - ESTÉ LISTO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: TOWNSHIP 6 RANGE 22, TOWNSHIP 7 RANGE 22, TOWNSHIP 7 RANGE 23, TOWNSHIP 7 RANGE 24, TOWNSHIP 7 RANGE 25.
Level 2 - BE SET to evacuate means:
There is significant danger in your area - be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Time to act - follow your emergency plan.
Grab your go-kit of essential supplies for health, safety, and identification. For more info, visit wildfire.oregon.gov.
Use TripCheck.com or call 511 for road closure information.
Relocate to a safe place outside of the affected area. Inform loved ones of your plans.
Stay informed and be alert. Continue to check for updates through local city and county websites, social media, TV, and radio.
This may be the only notice you receive.
Don’t wait to evacuate if you feel unsafe. Conditions can change rapidly.
You do not need to wait for another evacuation notice. Make the best decision for your safety.
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Monday afternoon announcement from the Umatilla National Forest:
Multiple agencies are responding to the Lone Rock Fire and officials have ordered a Complex Incident Management Team which will transition with the current Type 3 Incident Management Team.
The fire is approximately 9 miles northwest of the Bull Prairie Campground and approximately 8 miles northwest of Fairview Campground in Gilliam County, but is growing towards Wheeler County.
Forest officials are temporarily closing all Umatilla National Forest Lands, Trails and Roads in Wheeler County, as well as both Bull Prairie and Fairview Campgrounds to ensure public safety. This temporary closure will also ensure the safety of firefighters engaged in operations to suppress the Lone Rock Fire.
For more information check out https://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/
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Here's the notice issued late Saturday for the community, population about 25, by the Gilliam County Sheriff's Office;
EMERGENCY ALERT: Wildfire Alert continues: Level 3 - GO NOW - Evacuate immediately!
This is a wildfire emergency alert from Gilliam County Sheriff's Office. Level 3 - GO NOW! Evacuate immediately from the following areas: COMMUNITY OF LONE ROCK.
EVACUATION CENTER SET UP AT MEMORIAL HALL IN CONDON
Esta es una alerta de incendio forestal de Gilliam County Sheriff's Office. Nivel 3 - ¡VAYASE AHORA! Evacúe de inmediato de las siguientes zonas: COMMUNITY OF LONE ROCK.
Level 3 - GO NOW means Leave Immediately!
There is extreme danger in your area - evacuate now. Leave without delay, it is unsafe to stay and threatens the safety of you, your family, and emergency responders. Your life could be in great danger. Emergency services personnel may not be available to help you if you choose to stay.
Do not stop to gather your belongings or protect your home. Follow your emergency plan.
Leave as fast as safely possible. Drive carefully. Turn on your headlights. Follow traffic safety warnings and instructions from local authorities. Use TripCheck.com or call 511 for road closure information.
After you evacuate:
Do not return to the area until public safety officials announce the area is safe.
Continue to check for updates through local city and county websites, social media, TV, and radio. {Local Resource for more Info}
Once you are safe, check with friends and family.
Visit wildfire.oregon.gov for more info.
If you will need assistance evacuating persons with additional needs and/or animals/livestock, call: 541-384-2080. If you are experiencing an immediate life safety issue call 911.
Central Oregon fire officials said at 7:40 p.m. Saturday the Lone Rock Fire was estimated at 1,500 acres, later increasing the figure to 4,200 acres, burning in grass and brush off of Lone Rock Road east of Condon.
The Central Oregon Fire Management Service said Gilliam County, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District and the BLM’s Prineville district were responding with engines, a water tender, crews, a helicopter and three single-engine air tankers.
OSFM sends task force to Lone Rock Fire through Immediate Response
Oregon State Fire Marshal - 07/14/24 8:10 AM
The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing resources to assist locals battling the Lone Rock Fire in Gilliam County. A task force from Linn County and a division supervisor were mobilized early this morning. The fire sparked Saturday afternoon and burned about 4,200 acres by evening. The Gilliam County Sheriff has Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation notices in place for the community of Lone Rock.
For evacuation information, follow the Gilliam County Sheriff.
This task force is an added resource for the local fire agencies that responded to protect the community of Lone Rock and the region. Firefighters from Gilliam County, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Prineville Bureau of Land Management have been fighting the fire since it sparked.
“We are seeing critical fire danger across the state. It’s urgent, now more than ever, to take this threat seriously. I am calling on all Oregonians and visitors to be aware of the dry conditions and help us by preventing any new fire starts,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “The weather predicted through the next week is extremely concerning, not only with these new starts but with lightning in the forecast. Our resources will continue to be challenged. These fires and the forecast add strain to the system.”
The OSFM is constantly assessing needs across the state and will proactively respond as needed.
In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page.
About Immediate Response
Immediate Response is made possible through the OSFM’s Response Ready Oregon program created through Oregon’s wildfire omnibus bill, Senate Bill 762, signed into law in 2021.
This information on the Level 2 evacuation alert was posted Saturday night on the Gilliam County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
