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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (July 17, 2024)
50¢ VOL. 144 NO. 28 8 Pages Wednesday, July 17, 2024 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Lone Rock fire threatens Hardman Van Schoiack ranch house narrowly escapes fire devastation Fire above the family ranch home. ~ Photo by Marie Linnell By Chris Sykes Dan expressed grati- The Van Schoiack ranch tude to the Heppner Fire house narrowly escaped be- District for containing the ing destroyed by the Lone fire from Hill Ridge Road Rock fire, thanks to the to the ranch. Although the efforts of Dan’s brother Bill south side of the ranch, used and his sisters. They stayed as pasture, was completely at the ranch house all night, lost, the house, built in hosing it down and running the mid-1960s, was saved. Lone Rock Fire approaching Hardman, Oregon Sunday night July 14th. ~ Photo by Kelsie Worden sprinklers to keep it well ir- The neighbors to the south, rigated. They also put a fire however, were burned out. and Facebook for updates line around the house and Initially, Dan thought with the Morrow County performed back burning on the fire would be contained Sheriff Office, Heppner Fire Monday morning. -Continued to PAGE SIX and the Umatilla National Forest. Statement from Sheriff Gary Bettencourt Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office: Good afternoon, res- idents of Gilliam County, Early this morning, the Lonerock Fire posed an unprecedented threat to the City of Lonerock. I am re- lieved to report that through the exceptional teamwork of the entire community and the dedicated efforts of local, state, and federal fire resources, we managed to avert what could have been a catastrophic event. The fire came dangerously close to the city and was mere inches away from complete devastation. I am amazed and deep- ly grateful for the coor- dinated response and the resilience demonstrated by Donna Smith and her ‘Mini Bakers’ Greyson Kennedy, Jada The size of the fire as of Tuesday afternoon. ~ Contributed Image our community members, Macias, Olivia Kennedy, Ellie Rheinhart, Ian Macias, Jax- firefighters, and emergen- son Nelson, and not pictured Ariana Matzick. By Chris Sykes ties have been assigned to lightning, which will fur- cy personnel. Their swift The Lone Rock Fire the fire. The Linn County ther challenge firefighting barter system where they, action and tireless efforts By Annalynn Black in Gilliam, Morrow, and task force was sent on Sun- efforts. Heppner’s ‘Mini Bak- for example, trade their undoubtedly saved lives Wheeler counties has rap- day, along with other re- The fire’s cause is un- and prevented significant ers’ is a group of kids be- baked goods for overripe idly expanded, threatening sources through Immediate der investigation, and con- tween the ages of 3 to 9 who bananas from the local destruction. Hardman, Oregon. The Response. tainment is currently at 1%. Though Lonerock was have been learning the art of Dollar General store. In fire started on July 13, 10 Evacuation and Safe- Total personnel in- spared, this fire continues baking under the guidance return, they bring back miles southeast of Condon, ty Measures: volved in firefighting efforts to grow into Wheeler and of local babysitter Donna delicious banana bread or Oregon, and has spread to The Gilliam County are 333. Morrow County, exhibiting Smith. From muffins to muffins. Additionally, Don- 64,860 acres as of the latest Sheriff has issued Level 2 Recent Develop - pies, these little bakers have na explains that the kids erratic behavior. report. High temperatures (Be Set) evacuation notices ments: been honing their skills and decided to create “goodies The City of Lonerock even practicing the barter boxes” for those in heaven. in the 90s and 100s last for Lone Rock. The OSFM sent re- will remain at a Level 3 system. Whenever they hear about week, combined with dry The sheriffs’ offices sources through Immediate Evacuation until further The journey of Hep- someone losing a loved conditions, have exacerbat- of Gilliam, Morrow, and Response over the week- notice. This is to protect pner’s Mini Bakers start- one, they add it to their list ed the fire’s growth. Wheeler counties have Lev- end. As the threat near the our citizens and support the ed three years ago, and and prepare these boxes to Response and Re- els 2 and 3 evacuations in Cow Valley Fire in Mal- efforts of local, state, and two years ago, they began ensure that “God has plenty sources: place. heur County has lessened, federal fire crews who will organizing benefit sales. of goodies up there”. This The Oregon State Fire The Red Cross is sup- resources, including the remain dedicated to mon- Initially, they focused on as- act also serves as a reminder Marshal (OSFM) is mobi- porting shelters for dis- Red Incident Management itoring and extinguishing sisting local needs, such as to those left behind that they lizing resources to assist placed residents. Team, were reassigned to spot fires. families impacted by house are being thought of and local efforts. A task force Emergency Manager the Lone Rock Fire. Wildland Fire Safety fires. However, the group loved. Surprisingly, even from Linn County and a di- Steve Freeland of the Mor- Updates about the fire eventually expanded their the local post office has Instructions: vision supervisor were dis- row County Sheriff’s Office will be posted on the OSFM As we continue to outreach to include various stepped in, accepting these patched early this morning. reported that the task force Incident Information blog goodie packages, stamping monitor the situation, it is charitable organizations. Firefighters from Gil- is holding ground around and social media channels. According to Donna, them, and sending them on -Continued to PAGE SIX liam County, the Oregon Hardman, Oregon, keeping Quick Facts: the kids have engaged in a -Continued to PAGE TWO Department of Forestry, the fire on the east side. Size: 64,860 acres and the Prineville Bureau Freeland praised local com- Location: 10 miles SE of Land Management have munities, farmers, ranchers, of Condon, Oregon been combating the fire volunteers, and firefighters Counties: Gilliam, since its inception. from Heppner, Lexington, Morrow, & Wheeler Governor Tina Kotek and Echo for their efforts. Start Date: July 13, invoked the Emergency Impact and Forecast: 2024 CALL Conflagration Act on Mon- The fire grew to over Containment: 1% day, allowing the OSFM 30,000 acres by Monday, Cause: Under investi- 541-989-8221 to deploy additional re- driven by gusty winds and gation ext 204 sources. dry conditions. Total Personnel: 333 The OSFM’s Red In- Oregon State Fire Mar- The combination of ex- for more cident Management Team shal Mariana Ruiz-Temple cessive heat, gusty winds, will be in unified command highlighted the critical fire and dry conditions has information with Northwest Team 2 danger across the state, urg- made the Lone Rock Fire starting Tuesday at 10 a.m. ing Oregonians and visitors a significant threat, with Structural task forces to be cautious and prevent efforts ongoing to contain from Benton, Clackamas, new fire starts. The forecast and manage its spread. Lane, Linn, Marion, Mult- includes excessive heat, red The Heppner Gazette nomah, and Yamhill coun- flag warnings, and potential is still working the phones Heppner’s ‘Mini Bakers’ spread joy and generosity
