Gilliam County’s Lone Rock Fire grows to over 69,000 acres, but progress seen as containment reaches 10%
(Update: Sheriff's office Tuesday night update)
CONDON, Ore. (KTVZ) – Gilliam County's 4-day-old Lone Rock Fire has grown to more than 69,000 acres, but more than 300 firefighters have reached 10% containment, officials said Wednesday after Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act amid new evacuation notices and closures.
LONE ROCK FIRE UPDATE July 17, 2024
Location: 10 miles SE of Condon, Oregon | Size: 69,354 acres | Containment: 10% Cause: Under Investigation | Start Date: July 13, 2024 | Total Personnel: 333
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orprd-lone-rock-fire
Fire Information Line: 541-208-4369
Condon, Oregon — The Lone Rock Fire began on July 13 and is being managed under a full suppression strategy. Northwest (NW) Team 2 and Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Red Team assumed unified command of the Lone Rock Fire on Wednesday, July 17 at 6:00 a.m.
Yesterday’s Activities: The Oregon State Fire Marshal quickly mobilized resources to the Lone Rock Fire as it threatened nearby communities. One task force from Linn County was mobilized on July 14 to support South Gilliam County RFPD, Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, and local ranchers to protect the town of Lonerock, Ore. Crews were successful in protecting all homes and structures in the town as the fire moved through the area. Four more task forces were deployed on July 15 as Governor Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act. An additional two task forces, along with OSFM’s Red Team, were mobilized early Tuesday morning following their assignment on the Cow Valley Fire.
Firefighters worked through the night providing structure protection to the surrounding communities and increasing containment of the Lone Rock Fire to 10 percent.
Today’s Activities: Additional resources continue to arrive to support the suppression efforts. Wildland fire crews continue to patrol and secure firelines on the northwest portion of the fire; however, crews continue to find heat along the northeastern and southern edges of the fire. Firefighters will continue to use all available resources to construct containment features along the fire’s edge where safe and feasible, while exploring indirect containment features further from the fire’s edge. Structure protection in the community of Lonerock continues to be a priority as OSFM task forces continue to minimize threat from the fire to structures within the community. OSFM task forces are also conducting structure assessment and protection efforts beyond the fire’s edge in the surrounding communities of Hardman and Lefevre Prairie.
Firefighters will continue to work through the night providing structure protection and suppression efforts throughout the fire – with increased resources in the southeast where the fire is most active.
Evacuations:
- Level-3 Evacuations – GO NOW! Level-3 Evacuate immediately for the following areas:
- Gilliam County: community of Lonerock, Ore. 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: Hardman to mile post 10
- Wheeler County: Township 6, Range 23.
Weather: Hot, dry, and unstable conditions will continue with an increased chance of thunderstorms over the fire area. Gusty and erratic outflow winds from the thunderstorms could exceed 40 mph. As thunderstorms pass near the fire, strong, erratic winds could push the fire in any direction. Predominant winds will be 5 to 10 mph from the north-northwest; continuing to push the fire to the south-southeast. Temperatures will remain elevated with highs in the mid-90s today.
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. 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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Emergency Conflagration Act invoked for Lone Rock Fire
Oregon State Fire Marshal - 07/16/24 9:28 AM
SALEM, Ore. – The fast-moving Lone Rock Fire in Gilliam, Morrow, and Wheeler counties is Oregon’s latest conflagration. On Monday, Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act. The Oregon State Fire Marshal has been actively engaged on the fire with its partner agencies. Over the weekend, the OSFM sent resources through Immediate Response.
The OSFM’s Red Incident Management Team will be in unified command with Northwest Team 2 starting at 10 Tuesday morning. Structural task forces from Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, and Yamhill counties are assigned to the fire. The Linn County task force was sent Sunday along with other resources through Immediate Response, a tool the OSFM uses to send firefighters and equipment outside of a conflagration.
“The next few days are going to be extremely challenging with excessive heat, red flag warnings, and forecast lightning,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We are watching the weather forecast closely and have plans in place if new fires start.”
The Lone Rock Fire 10 miles southeast of Condon sparked on July 13. Gusty winds and dry conditions pushed the fire to grow to more than 30,000 acres as of last report.
The OSFM is actively battling the fire along with its partners from the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and local responders.
The Gilliam, Morrow, and Wheeler counties sheriffs’ offices have levels 2 and 3 evacuations in place.
Because the threat to homes near the Cow Valley Fire in Malheur County has diminished, the OSFM was able to demobilize and reassign their Red Incident Management Team and several of the task forces.
As the team gets settled in, the OSFM will post updates about the fire to the OSFM Incident Information blog and its social media channels.
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Governor Kotek invokes the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to Falls and Lone Rock Fires
State Fire Marshal partners with Washington state fire service for additional resources to battle Falls Fire
Salem, OR – Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on the morning of July 14, in response to the Falls Fire in Harney County. Governor Kotek also invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on the morning of July 15, in response to the Lone Rock Fire in Gilliam, Morrow, and Wheeler Counties.
Assistance with life, safety, and structural fire protection was requested by Harney County Judge Bill Hart in response to the Falls Fire, and by the Gilliam and Morrow County Fire Defense Board in response to the Lone Rock Fires. The Oregon State Fire Marshal requested additional resources from the Washington state fire service to help combat the Falls Fire.
“The Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon Department of Forestry are working in concert with each other to protect our state. Critical fire conditions are expected to continue into the coming week,” Governor Kotek said. “Fire incident management teams have been mobilized across the state to manage growing fires in the face of dangerous weather forecasts. Thank you to the Washington fire service for partnering with our state, and to all of the firefighters who are working tirelessly to protect Oregonians.”
"We are bringing in additional support from the Washington fire service for the Falls Fire, the severe drawdown of Oregon resources, and the anticipated weather conditions,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Our strong relationship with the Washington fire service is invaluable, especially during their responses to Oregon in 2017 and 2020. We have a robust response system that transcends borders and supports our mutual missions. I can't thank the Washington fire service enough for their quick and reliable response to Oregon's needs."
The Oregon Department of Forestry is also augmenting the state’s wildfire suppression resources with personnel and equipment from outside the state. More than 70 out-of-state resources have been ordered so far, with 23 of those ordered through the Northwest Compact. Compact members include Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, as well as the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest territories. By creating a cache of reciprocal resources through mutual aid agreements, member agencies can help one another when resources are strained.
A link to Executive Order 24-14, invoking the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Falls Fire can be found here.
A link to Executive Order 24-16, invoking the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Lone Rock Fire can be found here.
Following ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exists due to the fire, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The governor’s declaration cleared the way for the state fire marshal to mobilize resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to support local fire service agencies on scene.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized its Blue Incident Management Team and four task forces to the Falls Fire burning 20 miles northeast of Riley to assist in fighting the Falls Fire. Two of the task forces were brought in from Washington state through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal reassigned its Red Incident Management Team and mobilized seven task forces to the Lone Rock Fire southeast of Condon. The agency is working with its partner agencies from the Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and local fire agencies to protect life and property.
The Grant and Harney County sheriffs' offices have evacuation orders in place. A map of Harney County evacuations can be found here. Grant County evacuations can be found here.
For evacuation information resulting from the Lone Rock Fire, follow the Gilliam County Sheriff.
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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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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/
