Lonerock Fire supassed 100,000 acres, barrels towards Spray

FOSSIL, OR - Officials with the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office and the Pacific Northwest 2nd Team held a community meeting at the Fossil Grade School on Saturday evening.

Fire officials shared some success stories, but also said that the conditions on the ground continue to be extremely challenging, as the Lonerock Fire surpassed 100,000 acres.

The blaze is currently at its worst near Winlock Road, just outside of Spray. Crews are working to protect homes in that area and are racing to block the fire from moving into the town of Spray.

A Level 3 "Go Now" Evacuation Order was issued for Spray yesterday, and that order was extended to East of Service Creek and West of Bogona Rd/Balm Creek, and the area extending 5 miles West of Highway 19 Sout of Row Creek, and Northwest of Highway 207.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office said that eleven structure fire crews from around the state have converged on the area and that all available resources are working to prevent the loss of life and property.

Structural Fire Fighters from the 11 task forces include 148 firefighters from Linn, Yamhill, Multnomah, Clark, Polk, Marion, Washington, Lane, and Benton counties. These firefighters include professional firefighters and volunteers.

"This is a time to use all available resources," said Public Information Officer Stefan Meyer.

Command staff said that the conditions for the Lonerock Fire have been extraordinarily difficult. With temperatures in the high 90s, shifting winds, and grassland terrain with some juniper trees - crews have worked 24 hours a day and added a swing shift as travel time from Condon and Heppner had created additional needs in travel time.

"We're in a firefight and we've been in a firefight for multiple days," said a fire official. "The last two nights have been intense, and now we're working to save the town of Spray," he said.

Just before the meeting began, attendees were alerted that the evacuation zone for the fire had been extended, and that a Level 2 evacuation order had been issued south of the John Day River.

Firefighters were working feverishly to save homes and property but acknowledged that structures on Williams and Winlock Road could be lost in the coming hours.

Task forces have been mobilized and are providing more support in Spray.

Unfortunately, the weather is not going to cooperate in the coming days. An excessive heat warning, with a Red Flag Warning has been issued for the area, and there is palpable concern for the community and homes in Spray.

A meteorologist with the Oregon Fire Marshal's Office said that temperatures are expected to fall by the middle of next week, and there is hope that Spray and the surrounding community can hold on until then.