Bootleg Fire reaches Gearhart Wilderness

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Bootleg Fire update for July 15, 2021

Bootleg Fire Night Operations (Image: Josh Varellen, Inciweb)

Bootleg Fire Night Operations (Image: Josh Varellen, Inciweb)

FIRE DETAILS

Cause:
Under Investigation

Size:
227,234 Acres

Containment: 7%

Location:
28 Miles northeast of Klamath Falls, Ore.

Resources:
Personnel: 1,716

Fuels:
Heavy Timber, grass, and understory.

Initial Report:
1:45 PM, July 6, 2021

Last Updated:
9:30 AM, July 15, 2021

Coverage of the 2021 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.

Lost River Crew Mopping Up Div Y (Image: Inciweb)

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Firefighters reported another day of extreme fire behavior including torching, running, and frequent spotting ahead of the main fire including growth into the Gearhart Wilderness and north towards Lake Henry.

The Log Fire, located 8 miles southwest of Summer Lake, continued to spread to the east driven by steady west winds and is now 4,830 acres.

Large pyrocumulus clouds developed over the eastern portion of the fire during the afternoon and are possible again today. Throughout the night, crews continued working in the greater Fuego Mountain area as well as to the southeast along Forest Service 34 Road, improving existing containment lines.

“This fire is going to continue to grow – the extremely dry vegetation and weather are not in our favor,” said Joe Hessel, Incident Commander for ODF Team 1 Incident Management Team. “We are going to continue to prepare lines, protect structures, and move resources as we can around the fire’s edge.”

With continued west winds predicted, firefighters will continue to work to hold the fire to the 34 Road to prevent further eastern and southern spread. Heavy beetle killed timber and active fire behavior will present challenges in keeping the fire north and west of this road. Crews will continue to work on strengthening their existing line as well as scout for potential contingency lines. Structure protection groups are in place along the fire to help reduce risk to area homes.

Community Meeting
A virtual community meeting is planned for 6:30 PM, July 14, 2021. Watch the live stream at www.facebook.com/BootlegFireInfo.

Bootleg Fire Public Information Map (July 15, 2021)
Click to enlarge. Full size

EVACUATION INFORMATION

Evacuations are rapidly changing due to the nature of this wildfire. Visit the interactive evacuations map at klamathfallsnews.org/bootleg-fire-evacuations.

Evacuation Center
Klamath County Fairgrounds (in Klamath Falls), South 6th Street entrance only.

CLOSURES

The Fremont-Winema National Forest is closed to the public in the fire area. Map and full order are available here.

SMOKE

Heavy smoke is expected with widespread impacts to communities and State Route 140 in Oregon between Chiloquin and Bly. View the full smoke report at fires.airfire.org/outlooks/southcentraloregon.

Bootleg Fire Night Shift on July 14, 2021 (Image: Inciweb)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Extreme, crowning, running, spotting. Fire remains very active with significant acreage increases due to hot, dry, and breezy conditions, and plume-dominated fire behavior. Poor humidity recovery at night is contributing to active fire spread through the night time period. Robust spread rates are being generated by drought-affected fuels. Expecting similar conditions for the next several days.

PROJECTED INCIDENT ACTIVITY

The fire will continue to be extremely active in unchecked portions of the perimeter, with unstable air conditions and extremely dry fuels.

Information is provided by the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Klamath County Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Northwest IMT 10 is current as of 9:30 AM, July 15, 2021.

Klamath Falls News will continue to follow the situation and provide updates as they become available.

Klamath Falls News & Cascade Firewatch’s coverage of the 2021 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.

Ace Towing offers 24-hour emergency roadside assistance, collision towing, jump starts, lockouts, fuel, and tire changes. They also make automotive keys and program fobs too. 541-884-9388.

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