Battle Mountain Complex Fire in Umatilla County grows to more than 42,000 acres, air quality advisory issued

UMATILLA COUNTY, Ore. - The Battle Mountain Complex Fire in Umatilla County has grown to 42,474 acres. It is a combination of three wildfires currently affecting the central and southwestern area of Umatilla County and the southeast corner of Morrow County. The three wildfires that make up the Battle Mountain Complex Fire include the North Fork Owens Fire, which has burned 3,887 acres, the Snake Fire, which has burned 13,557 acres and the Monkey Creek Fire, which has burned 25,030 acres.

The cause of these fires is under investigation at this time. Currently, the Complex Fire as a whole is about 2% contained as of Monday, July 22. The North Fork Owens Fire is about 10% contained on its own. Fire officials said the Monkey Creek and Snake fires are burning towards each other within the canyon rim of the North Fork John Day River. The steep terrain is making it difficult to contain these fires. Firefighters are working to protect property by building defensible space in areas of the river corridor.

Highway 395 between mile posts 50 - 90, about 35 miles south of Pilot Rock is closed. Nearly 600 firefighters are battling the Complex Fire.

Firefighters are facing heavy smoke in the area from not only the Complex Fire, but other wildfires within the region. The smoke also is making it difficult for helicopters to fight the fire from the air.

According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the cost of the Battle Mountain Complex Fire has already cost $1.4 million in damages.

The Oregon Department of environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory for Monday, July 22, due to the wildfire smoke. The advisory is for 11 counties in Oregon, including southern Morrow and Umatilla Counties. When the smoke levels are this high, there are ways to protect you and your loved ones.

• stay inside, keep doors and windows closed. Run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to a cooler location if you don't have air conditioning
• avoid strenuous outdoor activity
• cloth, dust and surgical masks don't protect people from the harmful particles in smoke - use an N95 or P100 respirator if you have to be outside

Current evacuation levels are from the 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

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