Progress made on five fires

“Good progress continues to be made in mopping all of the burned perimeter, the only remaining perimeter needing burnout is the southeast corner of the fire,” wrote Tom Berglund, public information officer on the fire, in his morning report.

Given favorable weather conditions, firefighters hope to complete the burnout to the established containment lines. Those activities will cause the fire to continue to spread to the southeast, increasing the fire’s size, although additional perimeter growth is not expected.

Total personnel on the fire number 506, but demobilization is continuing. Firefighters are continuing to make progress on the four-fire Pine Creek fire complex burning in Sherman, Wasco and Wheeler counties.

“On the Jackknife fire, additional fire growth isn’t expected,” said Brian Lamoure, public information officer for the complex. The fire near Grass Valley is 100 percent contained at 13,263 acres.

The Donnybrook fire, burning 11 miles south of Antelope, is at 22,763 acres and 70 percent contained, Lamoure said. Personnel on the fire numbered 323 this morning.

Monday helicopters worked the steep areas and fire lines of the Black Rock Fire, which is at 35,731 acres and 85 percent contained five miles northeast of Antelope.

Mop-up is continuing on the Pine Creek Fire, which is now 65 percent contained and at 30,245 acres 11 miles south of Fossil.

“As long as the fire is 65 percent contained, we will see some growth to it,” Lamoure said.

Personnel on the fire number 536 with three helicopters also working the fire.

“We’re doing really good,” Lamoure added. “The rains were really good last night and they helped out a lot.”

However, the weather report offers some room for concern from late Tuesday morning to 5 p.m. Wednesday. There are predictions of wet and dry thunderstorms, which could bring lightning.

“Of course, that starts fires,” Lamoure said. “So we’re keeping an eye out.”

He urged anyone who spots a fire to immediately call 911 and report the location.

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