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Firefighters focus on southern portion of Courtrock Fire, work to control spread

MONUMENT, Ore. – A public meeting was held Thursday night in Long Creek to provide fire information for the communities surrounding the Courtrock Fire and the western portion of the Monkey Creek Fire in the Battle Mountain Complex. The video from the meeting can be accessed at  https://youtu.be/rvudySyUGok

Firefighters will work today to complete line on the southern area of the fire where it has continued to be active. Line construction using bulldozers and handline is planned, along with using strategic firing operations to remove fuel and vegetation between the fire’s edge and indirect fireline, creating a larger and stronger barrier between the fire and homes to the southeast.  

Lower temperatures and higher relative humidity will aid in the firefighting efforts this morning, however the forecast calls for north winds to increase this afternoon. Fuels in the area are dry and firefighters are aware of the potential for increased fire behavior during these windows and will be watching for changes. 

On the north side of the fire, firefighters have been able to secure a longer portion of line, resulting in an increase in containment to 9%. Resources will continue to build on this work as well today. 

Information for Zone I of the Battle Mountain Complex, including the western portion of the Monkey Creek Fire (formerly Boneyard Fire) can now be found at: www.facebook.com/battlemountaincomplex2024

Evacuations: Level 1 (Get Ready), Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in effect. For updated evacuation information:

• Grant County Emergency Management Office’s Facebook page, or sign up for the Grant County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/825462649520134/login. Morrow County Evacuation information can be found at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae

Shelters: An evacuation center has been set up at Grant Union High School (911 S Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845).

Clean air and cooling centers are located in the following locations in Grant County:

• Grant County Library- cooling & clean air, Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• John Day Senior Center- cooling & clean air, Monday & Thursday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday 12 – 4 p.m.
• Prairie City Public Works - clean air center, Monday -  Friday 12 – 7 p.m. 
• Dayville Community Hall- cooling & clean air, 24/7