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Courtrock Fire remains active overnight but containment increases

MONUMENT, Ore. – The Courtrock Fire stayed active during night operations as topography and record-dry fuels in the area prompted fire to spread to the southeast. The western perimeter also remained active, but did not make any significant runs.

Fire crews made progress on containment lines (an increase to 14% from 9%) and will continue expanding lines along the west and east flanks with the goal of meeting in the southeast corner of the fire around the Malheur National Forest and privately-owned land near Fox Valley.

Handcrews and bulldozers have been critical to control line construction around the Courtrock Fire, and aircraft resources will be available on Saturday to assist firefighters on the ground. This includes Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters capable of dropping hundreds of gallons of water in a single load. Aircraft will be used as long as smoke doesn’t impair visibility. 

Landowners operating bulldozers along the south and southeast perimeters in conjunction with Team 1’s operations section continue to serve as a major asset to firefighters working to stop fire spread.

“We need to remember why we’re here,” ODF Team 1 Incident Commander Joe Hessel said. “The landowners help us protect values at risk, and we serve them as firefighters assigned to this incident.”

The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Green Team is unified with ODF Team 1 on the Courtrock Fire, and additional OSFM resources have been ordered to the incident. OSFM task forces specialized in structural defense are working to protecting homes threatened by the Courtrock Fire while ODF Team 1 resources are engaged with fighting the fire itself.

Due to fire activity in the area, the U.S. Forest Service has issued closures for the Malheur. Up to date information on Malheur National Forest closures can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/malheur/news-events

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