Single Publication

Closures and Evacuations

Closures: The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have implemented partial closures because of the Rail Ridge and Crazy Creek fires, for all uses. For more details and closure maps, visit the Ochoco National Forest, Malheur National Forest, and BLM web pages.

Evacuations: Shelters are available to evacuees. For up-to-date evacuation information, please visit:

• Grant County: Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page.
• Crook County: Crook County Emergency Management website and Crook County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
• Wheeler County: Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

Operational Update

Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) resources have demobilized from the Rail Ridge Fire. These crews conducted suppression alongside wildland partners, protected structures, triaged nearly 500 structures and fulfilled structure prep needs throughout the incident area. These efforts, in conjunction with the progress made by wildland resources, have helped mitigate the risk to structures and allowed many residents to return to their homes.

California Incident Management Team 10 will take over ongoing structural protection efforts, in addition to the wildland mission. Local resources also remain available to assist if needed. OSFM is available to return if there is an imminent threat to structures that exceeds the capabilities of existing resources.

OSFM would like to extend their appreciation to the local communities and agencies for their ongoing support and cooperation throughout this challenging time.

Today, crews will take advantage of the cooler, wetter weather and take an aggressive, direct approach where possible to minimize fire growth throughout the fire area where safe to do so. Firefighters will be engaged in active mop up of any heat sources that could threaten containment while also monitoring and patrolling.

Yesterday’s sunny, dry conditions brought an increase in fire activity and smoke production throughout much of the Rail Ridge Fire. In the fire’s northeast corner around Chrome Ridge, firefighters called on air resources, including single engine air tankers, to help douse the flare ups. The fire remained within containment lines.

Along the northern edge, crews made good progress mopping up around Guyon and South Fork basins south of Dayville. 

To the west and northwest, heavy equipment was used to connect containment lines in the roadless area to the Battle Creek Road system while crews worked to improve roads and create shaded fuel breaks using Forest Road 583 and 582 heading toward Wolf Mountain.

On the fire’s southeastern edge, firefighters built direct containment line from Sugarloaf Mountain to the South Fork of John Day River while crews mopped up and patrolled from there west toward Suplee and north along the 58 Road.

Weather

Today starts a period of cooler, moister air and increased chance of showers. Winds remain terrain driven with gusts to 25 mph at higher elevations.

While any precipitation will aid in the fire fight, forecasted amounts are not significant enough to put the fire out and are not considered to be “season ending.”

With the approaching frontal system, thunderstorms are possible and firefighters will be on the lookout for gusty, erratic winds that might develop as a result.