12:05PM Update, Friday, July 9, 2021 on Bootleg Fire burning on Chiloquin Ranger District
Updated Friday, July 9, 2021 12:05PM
The Bootleg Fire burning up on the Chiloquin Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest has become the largest wildfire currently burning in the state. The fire, which officials now estimate is 38,892 acres with 1% containment as of yesterday, is burning on Fuego Mountain, about 11 miles northeast of Sprague River.
Fire behavior was extreme yesterday and firefighters worked on strengthening roads and identifying anchor points. The fire crossed the Sycan River yesterday and is in the West Spodue project are on the Bly Ranger District, an area that has recently undergone fuel reduction and prescribed burning, which is expected to aid fire crews. The fire is expected to continue its extreme behavior due to forecast weather conditions.
The Klamath County Structural Task Force is expected to continue protection measures for private properties in the area. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory for south central Oregon including Klamath, Lake and parts of Douglas and Jackson counties.
The DEQ expected the air quality advisory to last until at least Monday morning. The Bootleg Fire continues to burn on the Fremont-Winema National Forest and private lands approximately 11 miles northeast of the town of Sprague River, Oregon. A Red Flag Warning for strong, gusty winds with low relative humidity remains in effect.
Today’s operations:
Despite the challenges posed by weather and terrain, firefighters continue to look for opportunities to safely engage the fire and to assess defensible locations where effective fire breaks can be constructed. Crews have also continued their work on protection measures for private properties in the area, focusing on structural triage and preparation by creating defensible space around structures.
Evacuations:
At the request of the Bootleg Incident Commander, following are the current evacuation levels issued by Klamath County Emergency Management:
Level 3 (Go) – Leave immediately
- Near the town of Sprague River. Upper Tableland area north of Oregon Pines Road.
- North of the town of Beatty. Sycan Estates area.
Level 2 (Get Set) – Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice
- North of the town of Beatty. The area north of Highway 140, on both sides of Godowa Springs Road.
- North of the town of Sprague River. Klamath Forest Estates/Moccasin Hills area.
Evacuation Shelter
Beatty Community Center
Closures:
The Fremont-Winema National Forest issued emergency fire closure order 06-02-21-03 for the area between Forest Road 4542 on the western edge, along Forest Roads 45 and 46 on the northern edge to Forest Road 27 on the eastern side. Then to the junction with Forest Road 3462, heading west to the junction with Forest Road 3445, then south to the Forest Boundary, following the Boundary west to Forest Road 44 and then north to the junction with Forest Road 4542. Forest Road 44 is also closed between the Sprague River Road and Forest Road 4542.
SIZE: 38,892 acres
CONTAINMENT: 1%
PERSONNEL: 297
CAUSE: Under Investigation
RESOURCES:
Hand Crews 8
Fire Engines 17
Dozers 7
Water Tenders 7
AIRCRAFT:
Helicopters 2
Fixed Wing 8
South Central Oregon is continuing to have an active and early fire season. Area residents and visitors are asked to use extreme caution with anything that could spark a wildfire. Suspected wildfires should be reported immediately to 911.
Updates will be provided by KFLS News and BasinLife.com on our daily news page.
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South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership provides comprehensive wildland fire services to more than eight million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District; Fremont-Winema National Forest; Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Klamath Basin and Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complexes; and Crater Lake National Park. The area encompasses federal, state, and private lands within south central Oregon and northwest Nevada.