Fire Size: 43,842 acres
Containment: 20% Cause: Lightning Strike
Resources: 10 crews, 1 dozer, 6 water tenders, 14 engines, 5 skidgines, and 2 helitack crews.
Central Oregon —The Black Rock Fire held steady overnight. The acreage is now 43, 842 due to more accurate mapping. Yesterday, crews made notable progress securing the southeast corner of the fire. Rainfall has added moisture to the landscape, helping slow fire activity but also complicating access for all equipment. The fire spans rugged, remote terrain with steep slopes, requiring crews to adapt as conditions evolve. Hand crews remain vigilant and are relying on UTVs to reach inaccessible areas. While these conditions may extend the duration of suppression efforts, they are not expected to increase the fire’s footprint.
Today, the Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team will continue to work with the Wheeler County RFPA to secure the fire’s southeast flank. The Prineville Hotshots will be joining the existing resources on the east flank of the fire to secure the last segment of line that needs to be constructed in that area. Firefighters will be focusing on areas containing juniper which is where most of the heat from the fire remains. Smoke may be visible from interior pockets of unburned fuel that continue to burn but pose minimal threat to containment.
Under the delegation of the BLM and National Park Service, the Type 3 Team is actively suppressing the fire while prioritizing public safety and the protection of cultural and natural resources
Weather: Rainfall is forecast to continue in the area. Temperatures are expected to be between 82-85°F. Winds will remain light overall, though gustier conditions may occur near isolated afternoon thunderstorms.
Evacuations: Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow all directions from fire personnel in the area. For the most up to date evacuation information and to receive emergency notifications visit ORAlert.gov.
For evacuations maps visit: Wasco County: Sherman County: Click Here Wheeler County: Click Here Closures and Restrictions: BLM lands near the John Day River, OMSI Hancock Field Station, and the Clarno Unit of John Day Fossil Beds are closed.
A formal closure order can be found on Fire Restrictions – Oregon-Washington Bureau of Land Management. Central Oregon remains under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. For the latest road conditions and closures, please visit the ODOT website.
Do not fly drones near the fire. Unauthorized drones can ground firefighting aircraft and delay suppression efforts.
For official wildfire updates in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org or follow @CentralORfire on X/Twitter. To report a wildfire, call 9-1-1. For smoke and air quality information, visit fire.airnow.gov.
