Friday Fire Update 1 | Battle Mountain Complex | July 19, 2024

The BATTLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX consists of two wildfires, which were caused by lightning on the evening of July 17, 2024, and are continuously burning west of Ukiah, Oregon.

North Fork Owens Fire

The North Fork Owens Fire is about 2,000 acres and has a 0% containment status.

Snake Fire

The Snake Fire has burned about 1,750 acres and also has a 0% containment status.

Fire Behavior

Both wildfires exhibit extreme fire behavior with running, group torching, and spotting. Fire fuels include timber, grass, and brush. These are dangerous conditions for those who respond, egress, and fight these fires from the skies to the ground.

Fire Ops

Photo Credit: Battle Mountain Complex Fire Info

Fire Officials give an update on how operations will be conducted tonight, “Tonight, crews will continue to construct and try to tie key portions of lines together with existing roads and features. Firefighters had success keeping both the North Fork Owens and Snake Fires away from structures, but risks remain. Firefighters from a structure task force are building defensible spaces around homes to mitigate risks.”

Command

Command of the incident will be transferred to ODF Team 3, which is due to occur on Saturday at 0900 hours. The Lead Fire Agency is currently the OR Department of Forestry-Pendleton Unit, a Type 1 IMT.

Evacuations

Evacuations have been reported in effect, as numerous structures are being threatened.

USFS Closures

U.S. Forest Service officials are temporarily closing some of the lands, trails, and roads in North Fork John Day Ranger District to ensure safety for the public and firefighters engaged in operations to suppress the Battle Mountain Complex, Upper Winom, Double Snag, Big Creek, and Monkey Creek Fires.

Road Closures

Map Credits: Battle Mountain Fire Info

A closure remains in effect for Highway 395, between mileposts 50 through 90, beginning 35 miles South of Pilot Rock.

Evacuations

Level 1 (Be Ready), Level 2 (Be Set), and Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in effect. For updated evacuation information, visit the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, www.facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff, or sign up for the Umatilla County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/index/2590041373147145.

Fire Restrictions

For current fire restrictions, go to www.bmidc.org or call the Northeast Oregon Fire Prevention line at (541) 975-3027. For current fire info, go to http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/

ODF NEO Facebook: www.facebook.com/oregondeptofforestryNEO/.

Cost-to-Date

The cost-to-date for fire suppression and containment efforts is listed at $259,000, according to the NIFC but this wildfire incident is in the early stages.

Sources: Battle Mountain Fire Info, USFS, Facebook, NIFC, NWCC

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