Special Report: A behind-the-scenes look at the fight to stop one of Oregon’s mega-fires

(Update: Adding video, comments from fire officials)

'This community has invited us into their family.'

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 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.

"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 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