PENDLETON — Firefighters continued to make progress Friday, Aug. 21, on wildfires caused by recent thunderstorms, according to a press release from the Umatilla National Forest.

After taking command of the Meacham Complex — formerly named Hager Complex — at 6 a.m. Aug. 21, the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3 spent most of the day monitoring fires within the complex.

“We’ve got crews on them and they’re trying to determine what the strategy is going to be,” said Jeni Garcin, the team’s public information officer. “Tomorrow we’ll likely have more information than we do today because we’re just coming in today and trying to get a handle on it.”

Garcin said there are four priority fires within the complex, with the Hager Ridge Fire still the largest at about 100 acres as of 2:30 p.m.. The Horse Fire was burning at about 45 acres as of the afternoon, and the Heron and 896 Fires have also been designated as priorities.

There were nine fires at the complex in total, Garcin said, with the smaller fires ranging between one-quarter of an acre to 3 acres in size.

No structures were threatened, and no closures or evacuations had been issued as of 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 21.

An incident command post has been set up at the Pendleton Convention Center.

Elsewhere, the Walla Walla Ranger District picked up one new start Aug. 20 and firefighters staffed numerous other fires from the recent lightning.

The Alder Creek Fire was the most active, growing to 12 acres in size. The fire was reported on Aug. 19 and is located near Lookout Mountain, approximately 24 miles northeast of Wallowa. The fire is burning in difficult terrain that is hard to access.

Suppression efforts were aided on Aug. 20 by aircraft to slow the fire’s spread. Firefighters continued to complete line construction on Aug. 21, where terrain and fuels allow for crews to safely engage, while utilizing aircraft to slow fire spread and cool hot spots within the fire perimeter. Resources on scene include four smokejumpers and a five-person crew.

On the Heppner Ranger District, the Putnam Springs Fire was estimated at 110 acres and is still actively burning to the southeast, threatening adjacent private land and a nearby structure. Fire behavior on Aug. 20 consisted of active fire runs, spotting and torching as late afternoon downslope winds pushed the fire south.

Firefighters, aided by aerial resources, focused suppression efforts on protecting the values at risk and establishing containment lines to slow the spread of the fire. Firefighters continued on Aug. 21 to complete line construction, where terrain and fuels allow for crews to safely engage, while utilizing aircraft to slow fire spread and cool hotspots within the fire perimeter. Current resources on scene include two engines, one 20-person hand crew, two skidgines, two dozers and two water tenders. Additional resources are on order.

A local Type 3 incident commander out of John Day took command of the fire at 9 p.m. Aug. 20.

Firefighters made progress on the Rocky Fire, which is also located on the Heppner Ranger District. The fire jumped the fire line on Aug. 20 and grew to 6 acres, but firefighters successfully stopped the fire spread. The Rocky Fire is 100% lined. Fire crews are continuing mop up and securing containment lines.

The Pomeroy Ranger District reported two new ignitions.

Firefighters staffed both fires at less than a quarter of an acre in size. The Rattlesnake Fire had minimal spread and is still estimated at five acres. The fire is located 20 miles south of Pomeroy, Washington, in rugged terrain. Access to this fire is limited due to flood damage within the Tucannon watershed. Firefighters were able to monitor the fire on Aug. 20, while they continue to work on safely gaining access into the fire.

The North Fork John Day Ranger District had no new fires reported on Aug. 21, but crews continue to patrol and mop up hotspots on existing fires.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the week. Increased winds are anticipated again Aug. 21 and fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains high and public use restrictions involving chainsaw use is in effect.