Fire crews in Oregon, Washington continue to battle large wildfires

REGIONAL - Fire crews in both Oregon and Washington continue efforts to contain and put out large wildfires that have been burning for several days. The following is updated information as of Saturday, August 3.

Battle Mountain Complex

The Battle Mountain Complex fire is a combination of two wildfires, the Monkey Creek Fire and the North Fork Owens Fire.

The Monkey Creek Fire has burned 175,980 acres and is, by itself, 27% contained at this time. It is burning in Grant, Morrow and Umatilla Counties in Oregon and started on July 18, 2024.

The following areas are under LEVEL 3 GO NOW evacuation orders in the Monkey Creek Fire:

• Zones UMC-307, UMC-323, UMC-311 in Umatilla County. North of the Umatilla County/Grant County boundary, East of the Umatilla/ Morrow County boundary, South of Forest Road 53, West of Highway 395
• North from Forest Service Road 21 to the approximate intersection of Forest Service Road 21 and Forest Service Road 2104 and East from Board Creek Road to the East Morrow County Line in Morrow County
• Monument. All of Rudio Rd. All of Cottonwood Rd. All of Courtrock Rd. All of Lost Hubcap Rd. Town of Dale and 3 miles to the northeast in Grant County

The following areas are under LEVEL 2 GET SET evacuation orders in the Monkey Creek Fire:

• Zones UMC-325, UMC-309 in Umatilla County. North of the Umatilla/Grant County line, East of Highway 395, South where Soap Hill Road transitions into Forest Road 52, West of Trough Creek (this includes the Bridge Creek State Wildlife Area).

• The area south of a line between the intersection of Hwy 402 and Durst Rd, and Hwy 395 and Porter Lane. From Hwy 395 at Justice Ranch Rd, to Dicks Creek Rd at Hwy 19, North to 402. The area northeast of the Middle Fork and North Fork River confluence extending to the Ritter Road/Constant Road intersection and continuing East to Desolation Creek past 395. Southwest of Dale to Bone Point Lane, west of Hwy 395. HWY 395 north of Trout Rd. All of County Road 21/Trout Rd, Forest Rd 3980, and Forest Rd 3969. All of Bully Creek Lane in Grant County

The following areas are under LEVEL 1 GET READY evacuation orders in the Monkey Creek Fire:

• Zone UMC-319, UMC-327 in Umatilla County. The entire bottom southeast corner of Umatilla County, including the area of Double Snag and Upper Winom area
• The community of Ritter and everything north of the Middle Fork extending to 395 in Grant County

The North Fork Owens Fire has burned 4,484 acres and is, by itself, 90% contained. This fire started on July 17, 2024 and it is burning in Umatilla County.

The following areas are under LEVEL 3 GO NOW evacuation orders in the North Fork Owens Fire:

• Zones UMC-307, UMC-311, UMC-323

The following areas are under LEVEL 2 GET SET evacuation orders in the North Fork Owens Fire:

• Zones UMC-309, UMC-325

The following areas are under LEVEL 1 GET READY evacuation orders in the North Fork Owens Fire:

• Zones UMC-319, UMC-327

Road, Public Land Closures:

• People who are evacuating the area are to travel northbound on Highway 395. US-395 is closed from Milepost 50 to 90.
• The Bureau of Land Management has closed public lands along the John Day River from Kimberly to Dale, and from Kimberly to Service Creek.
• The Umatilla National Forest has implemented a closure for public lands within the Heppner Ranger District and the North Fork John Day Ranger District.

There are Red Flag conditions in place due to an increase in fire behavior around the Monkey Creek Fire. Fire officials said there are active fire conditions with several smaller spot fires and more visible smoke from hot spots. Fire crews have been able to hold the fire's perimeter at this time, however, thunderstorms are possible in the area, which means lightning strikes are possible. Fire officials said firefighters are focusing on the area between Ditch Creek and the Potamus drainage in an effort to stop the advance of the fire. Helicopter firefighting efforts continue to be underway. Officials said currently there are 1,911 personnel fighting the Battle Mountain Complex Fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Retreat Fire

The Retreat Fire burning in Yakima County has now burned 40,801 acres as of Saturday, August 3. The fire is currently 37% contained at the moment and the cause is under investigation. The fire continues to burn 14 miles southwest of Naches and the fire started on July 23.

The following areas are under LEVEL 3 GO NOW evacuation orders:

• US Hwy 12 at Bear Canyon Trailhead (NF 1301 Forest Service Road) northeast to the “Y” (Hwy 12/410)
• From “Y” (Hwy 12/410) south along the borders of Town of Cowiche and Town of Tieton to Cowiche Mill Road
• Cowiche Mill Road west to NF 641 Forest Service Road
• NF 641 Forest Service Road North to Hwy 12

The following areas are under LEVEL 1 GET READY evacuation orders:

• Tieton/Cowiche Area

Closures:

• Highway 12 is closed from White Pass to Oak Creek
• Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is also closed
• The Washington State Department of Natural Resources Southeast Region has temporarily closed the Ahtanum State Forest
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed the majority of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area to public access. It will remain closed until August 23

Fire officials said the US Highway 12 corridor remains closed to public travel so firefighters can work in the area. There is also a problem with burned trees falling into the roadway that makes it a safety hazard for drivers. Fire officials said increased fire activity along the highway is also causing more problems. Firefighters are able to hold containment lines on the south and east sides of the fire. The fire is also being put out from the air as helicopters continue to fly above and do bucket drops. Fire officials said there is increased concern about an increase in fire activity as there are thunderstorm chances in the area, which could increase the chance of a lightning strike.

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