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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