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• A PUBLIC MEETING will be held TODAY Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 3 p.m. at the John Day Airbase at 72000 Airport Road, John Day, Oregon. The meeting will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForest (technology permitting.)
• Find current information at https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire

Closures and Evacuations

Closures: Both the Ochoco National Forest and BLM have implemented partial closures due to the fire. For more details and closure maps, visit the Ochoco National Forest, Malheur National Forest, and BLM webpages.

• Evacuations: For the most up-to-date evacuation information, please visit: Crook County: Crook County Emergency Management website and Crook County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
• Wheeler County: Visit the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for real-time updates.
• Grant County: Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page.

Operational Update

Multiple thunderstorms were observed over the fire area. Most fire activity was observed on the northern edge of the fire again, as it burned through timber stringers and sage fields. It continues to be hung up on the ridge south of Dayville/Highway 26 west of the South Fork Road.
Additional Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces arrived on Saturday from Benton and Washington Counties, as well as two from Washington state. Overnight, these crews focused on gaining situational awareness along the fire line, identifying and assessing structures in their assigned areas.

Significant fire activity is expected to continue today. Crews will extend structural surveys and surface preparation around the Dayville area. OSFM crews will continue to support wildland operations while assessing and actively addressing structure threats.
On the eastern and southern edges, the fire held within proposed containment lines, giving firefighters time to build and improve lines. Wildland, local, and OSFM crews held the fire along the Paulina Suplee Highway and provided protection to structures directly adjacent to the fire line.

Weather 

The weather today is predicted to remain unsettled, with showers and occasional thunderstorms continuing through the morning. Clearing is anticipated for the afternoon, with light and variable winds and some relief from the heavy smoke. This clearing could result in more active fire behavior again. Winds are expected to remain light, although convective activity could result in stronger, erratic gusts. Daytime temperatures are expected to trend downward in the coming days, although vegetation will remain critically dry, and any new starts from the current lightning are anticipated to find fuels receptive for growth.

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