Elite firefighting teams to arrive in coming days, could bring more than 1,000 firefighters
Wildland firefighters from the southeast arrived on Sunday morning to help fight the Lonerock Fire, which spread from 4,200 acres on Saturday to 51,855 acres on Monday.
Firefighters from Florida fought the Lonerock Fire for 28 consecutive hours. Afterwards, they regrouped at the Condon Motel. The fire crew will be replaced by the Complex Incident Management Team in the coming days, with the potential of 1,000 firefighters descending on the area.
Staff from the Type 3 Incident Management Team look at a map of the Lonerock area at the Gilliam Co. Fairgrounds on Monday, July 15, 2024.
Smoke from the Lonerock Fire is visible from the Gilliam County Fairgrounds in Condon. The fairgrounds are being used as mission control for firefighting crews.
The big rock in Lonerock, with fire on the nearby hillside on Saturday night. Local residents were asked to evacuate on Sunday afternoon, though several stayed behind to protect property and livestock.
Multiple fire crews, including a task force from Linn County, arrived in Condon on Sunday to help fight the Lonerock Fire. Those crews will be replaced by the elite Complex Incident Management Team in the coming days.
CONDON, OR (11:45 AM, July 15, 2024) - A rapidly escalating grassland fire near the town of Lonerock, in Gilliam County, has necessitated significant emergency response efforts since its outbreak on Saturday, July 13. Initially spanning 4,200 acres, the fire surged to over 50,000 acres within a mere 24-hour period.
In response to the escalating threat, the Gilliam County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 3 "Go Now" Evacuation order for the town of Lonerock on Sunday, July 14, at 3:58 PM. Subsequently, a Type 3 Incident Management Team was swiftly deployed, arriving on scene early Sunday to coordinate firefighting operations.
Margie Ferrucci, a Public Information Officer dispatched from Arizona, reported a force of 189 firefighters actively engaged in combatting the blaze, bolstered by approximately 70 local landowners and community members. Their joint efforts have focused on protecting homes, barns, and livestock from the advancing fire front.
As of Monday, July 15, Pete Irvine, another Public Information Officer from Virginia, confirmed that the fire remained uncontained, engulfing 51,865 acres. However, no structures have been lost, and there have been no reported injuries among residents or firefighters in Lonerock.
Looking ahead, plans are underway to transition firefighting operations to a more extensive Complex Incident Management Team, anticipated to arrive in Condon by Tuesday, July 16. This team, known for handling severe wildfires, will bring additional resources, with potentially over 1,000 firefighters, specialized support services, and logistical infrastructure.
Chief concerns moving forward include persistent high winds and dry conditions, which continue to fuel the fire's growth. Firefighting efforts have been augmented by aerial support, with airplanes and helicopters strategically dropping retardant and providing reconnaissance over the affected areas.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, while various local and federal agencies, including the Southern Area Gray Team and numerous rural fire districts, collaborate to contain and mitigate the fire's impact.
Affected communities and stakeholders are urged to remain vigilant and stay tuned for further updates as the situation evolves.
Area residents are encouraged to call the Lonerock Information number with any questions or tips between 8 AM and 8 PM - (541) 208-4369.
For media inquiries and additional information, please contact Stephen Allen with The Times-Journal at (541) 384-2421.
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