Special Report, Part 2: A family near Battle Mountain Complex creates a pit stop for fire crews

(Update: Adding video of Part 2 of this Special Report; Friday fire update)

'This community has invited us into their family.'

KIMBERLEY, 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 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 $36 million to fight.

"It's been a pretty tough go, very rugged country. And otherwise, all the resources in the state are pretty slim, so we're doing the best we can," said Brandon Kerns, division supervisor for the Oregon Department of Forestry.

It's not only state resources here in Ukiah, an Eastern Oregon community about two hours south of Pendleton.

Among the 2,000 firefighters are hundreds from out of state who've been battling the Battle Mountain Complex for nearly two weeks.

"This particular portion of fire has been very busy over the past 10 days. Now, we're just starting to get into what we call mop-up mode," Kerns said. "That's when it's relatively contained. And we're just trying to mop up smoke, put them out right next to the line so that it doesn't continue to spread. "

The blaze became a mega-fire last week, covering over 100,000 after three fires combined.

Kerns is the division supervisor for the Cupper Creek Canyon part of the mega-fire. 

The continued hot weather and dry lightning have created extra challenges. 

"Whenever the temperatures get high, you know, nobody can work as hard and as fast at that kind of temperatures. So that limits the amount of work we can do. Also, it increases the fire behavior, too," he said.

T.J. Lockwood is with the office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal and is working with Kerns' crews.

Lockwood said Wednesday, "Collectively, there's been about 935, give or take, homes that we've been providing triage to on how we're going to prepare them, in the event of an advancing wildfire," he said.

The firefighting effort also includes removing juniper trees and brush near many of the farms here in Ukiah, a task T.J. says they are proud to take on.

"We've met a lot of really great people that have welcomed us in," he said. "The fire service is like a big family. And this community has invited us into their family."

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Here's Friday morning's update from fire officials:

Progress continues on the Battle Mountain Complex, firefighters prepare for Red Flag Conditions.

UKIAH, Ore. – Firefighters continue to make strides holding lines and building containment on the Battle Mountain Complex as they prepare for rising temperatures and Red Flag Conditions today. 

Temperatures have been rising steadily and are expected to crest 100 degrees today. Fire officials also expect wind gusts up to 20 miles per hour in addition to limited visibility from smoke from other fires in the region. High temperatures are expected to persist through next week with lightning possible this weekend. 

Today, firefighters will focus on gaining mop-up depth and cooling materials deeper from the perimeter along the entire fire. As temperatures rise, mop up helps ensure that any reheated or ignited materials can’t escape the fire perimeter. 

In Zone I, crews continue mopping up around structures and extending containment. Firefighters will continue mopping up along the southeast corner of the Monkey Creek fire near Monument. They’re also focused on securing containment along the north. 

In Zone II, firefighters are focused on the north-central region between Ditch Creek and the Potamus drainage as they look to bring the fire to control features where they can stop the fire. 

Residents should continue to expect to see smoke in the interior and the unburnt island within the fire perimeter as unburnt vegetation burns well within the fire’s footprint. Crews will continue to patrol the fire’s perimeter, including portions considered contained.

Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 will transfer command of the Monkey Creek Fire to ODF Incident Management Team 3 tonight at 6:00 pm. This will put Team 3 in command of the entire fire. 

Evacuations: 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/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae

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/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/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/?cid=FSEPRD1194462 and https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768.

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Total Estimated Complex Size: 179,080 acres

Monkey Creek Fire: 174,596

North Fork Owens:  4,484 acres

Total Containment 23%

Cause:  Under Investigation      

Estimated Cost:  $36,299,415

All Resources 

Hand Crews:    65           

Engines:  81      

Water Tenders:  39

Dozers:  28

Helicopters:  6
Total Personnel: 2,029