SUNDAY UPDATE: Fire agencies, state fire agencies fighting several wildfires across our region

REGIONAL - In Washington and in Oregon, fire agencies across our region are battling several wildfires. Some have been burning for days while others continue to pop up due to the hot, dry and windy conditions. Information on these fires is constantly changing. We will work to bring you the latest as soon as possible.

Washington

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Davin Road Fire - This fire is burning near Kahlotus. There are currently no evacuation orders associated with this fire. It started Sunday, July 21, around 7:30 a.m. It is estimated to be around 500 acres at this time and spreading. State fire assistance has been mobilized. The wildfire is burning in grass, brush and rangeland. It is a threat to Lyon Ferry Fish Hatchery and Park. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

GRANT COUNTY

5 p.m. - Grant County Fire District 13 reported just moments ago it is responding to a fast moving wildfire near Highway 28 and Road E Northwest.

Road R Fire - Officials determined the Road R Fire (also known as the Wilson Creek Wildfire) to have been started by lightning. It started July 18 and lasted for several hours and was finally out July 19. Officials said it is believed about 200 acres burned. No evacuations were ordered under this fire, but state wildfire resources were mobilized with air support. There were some road closures when the fire was active but those have since been reopened. Firefighters had to battle steep and rocky terrain with heavy grass and sage brush. Four firefighting airplanes and a helicopter were called in to help attack from the air. Fire crews included Grant County Fire Districts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12 and 13, Ephrata and Royal Slope. The Grant County Public Works Department, Grant PUD, the Grant County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Land Managment also worked to put out the fire.

___________________ Oregon

MORROW COUNTY

Battle Mountain Complex Fire - This wildfire is now the combination of three wildfires: The Snake Fire, The North Fork Owens Fire and the Monkey Creek Fire. This wildfire has now burned more than 30,000 acres.

“Each fire is in a different stage of operations,” said Operations Section Chief Eric Perkins. “We have a lot of crews beginning mop-up along large portions of the North Fork Owens Fire, and we’re constructing a lot of active fireline on the Snake Fire. We’re doing our best in very steep terrain and critical weather. Firefighter and community safety is our top priority.”

Fire officials said they have limited resources, difficult terrain and the threat of lightning Sunday evening.

A road closure is in effect for HWY 395 between mile posts 50 - 90, beginning 35 miles south of Pilot Rock. This combined wildfire is also affecting Umatilla County. Currently, there are no evacuation orders in effect for Morrow County with this combined wildfire. However, there are evacuations in place for Umatilla County.

Lone Rock Fire - The Lone Rock Fire is about 40% contained as of July 21. It has burned approximately 116,563 acres and currently 819 fire personnel are battling this fire spanning three counties in Oregon. Crews are battling the fire from both the air and land. At this time, it is unknown how many homes have been lost or what damage estimates are to property. This fire has been burning since July 13. On July 15, Gov. Tina Kotek declared the Emergency Conflagration Act, which triggered state resources to mobilize and help try to put out the fire.

Evacuation orders for this fire are now at LEVEL III GO NOW : From the west county line along Buttermilk Canyon to HWY 207, milepost 10 south of Hardman to the south Morrow County line. The Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Heppner Elementary School. There is a Facebook page that has been set up specifically for this fire:

UMATILLA COUNTY

Battle Mountain Complex Fire - This wildfire is now the combination of three wildfires: The Snake Fire, The North Fork Owens Fire and the Monkey Creek Fire. This wildfire has now burned more than 30,000 acres.

“Each fire is in a different stage of operations,” said Operations Section Chief Eric Perkins. “We have a lot of crews beginning mop-up along large portions of the North Fork Owens Fire, and we’re constructing a lot of active fireline on the Snake Fire. We’re doing our best in very steep terrain and critical weather. Firefighter and community safety is our top priority.”

Fire officials said they have limited resources, difficult terrain and the threat of lightning Sunday evening.

A road closure is in effect for HWY 395 between mile posts 50 - 90, beginning 35 miles south of Pilot Rock. This combined wildfire is also affecting Morrow County. Currently, evacuation orders for Umatilla County include the following: (Source: Umatilla County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page)

LEVEL 3 (GO NOW - Red) Entire area south of Highway 395 at Copper creek, between Highway 395 S to the County Lines on the west and south side. and then Entire area south of FS Rd 52, five miles east of Highway 395 S and down to County Line. This is an active incident, always pay attention to your surroundings and adjust accordingly. A Shelter remains open at the Pendleton Convention Center, 1061 Westgate, Pendleton. LEVEL 2 (BE SET - Yellow) Entire City of Ukiah and Soap Hill area south of the City of Ukiah, east side of Highway 395 for five miles and down to FS Rd 52and Entire bottom southeast corner of Umatilla County, including the area of Double Snag and Upper Winom area LEVEL 1 (BE READY - Green) Area south of Carney Butte, east of Highway 395 S (at mp 44) to the Umatilla County Line, including Albee, Camas Creek, Hideaway Springs, Dixie Ranch and Lehman Springs

According to state fire officials, Monkey Creek has burned 18,886 acres, North Fork Owens has burned 3,887 acres and the Snake Fire has bured 7,499 acres. It is 0% contained at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Pilot Rock Fire - As of Sunday, July 21, all evacuation orders on the Pilot Rock Fire have been downgraded to Level I GET READY. This wildfire is about 94% contained and has burned around 19,000 acres. It is unknown at this time how much property has been destroyed. Shelters have been setup at Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate in Pendleton and at Grant Union High School, 911 S Canyon Blvd in John Day.

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