Fire crews make steady progress on Cutoff Fire near Bonanza
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A helicopter drops water on the eastern edge of the #CutoffFire near Bonanza, Oregon. June 20, 2021. (Image: Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)
Coverage of the 2021 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.
Fire Details
Cause:
Under investigation
Size:
1,500 Acres
Containment: 10%
Lined: 50%
Structures Threatened:
125
Location:
6 Miles north of Bonanza, Oregon.
Map of the #CutoffFire as of June 20, 2021. [click to enlarge]
Additional fire maps, kfnews.org/wildfire-maps-2af38c
BONANZA, Ore. - Firefighters on the ground used bulldozers, other heavy equipment, and hand tools to build containment lines around the Cutoff Fire near Bonanza. In the air, skies above the fire were busy with heavy air tankers, helicopters, and single engine air tankers (SEATS) dropping water and retardant to slow the fire’s spread.
Fire managers estimate that over half of the fire’s 1,500-acre perimeter has been lined. Containment sits at 10%, indicating that the control lines will need to be significantly strengthened before they will withstand forecasted hot, dry weather. The fire is burning on a mix of public and private forestland and threatens approximately 125 structures.
In consultation with the fire’s Incident Commander, Klamath County Emergency Management issued a Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuation for the area east of Bly Mountain Cutoff Road, between Jaguar Lane/Racoon Lane and Spaniel Lane/ Crocodile Lane, west of Thrasher Drive. Evacuation levels remain unchanged.
[Full evacuation report, live videos, and photography below.]
ODF’s Incident Management Team 1 took command of the fire at approximately 6:00 pm on Sunday, June 20, 2021. Incident Commander Joe Hessel praised the work of local agencies. “The local forces did an excellent job getting this fire knocked down quickly. They did a tremendous amount of work. Our job is to pick up where they left off and finish the job,” said Hessel.
The priorities for the coming days including improving protection around structures and strengthening control lines. The weather forecast calls for continued hot and dry weather with the potential for thunderstorms.
[Red Flag Warning issued for Monday evening into Tuesday morning.]
Evacuation Information
Following is updated evacuation information, at the request of the Cutoff Fire Incident Commander, issued by Klamath County Emergency Management.
#CutoffFire Evacuations as of 6/20/21 at 9:30 AM [click to enlarge]
Level 3 (GO NOW)
East of Bly Mountain Cutoff Rd, North to Grizzly Ln, West of Hummingbird Dr, and South to Keno Springs Road.
Level 2 (GET SET)
East of Bly Mountain Cutoff Rd, North to Keno Springs Rd, West of Forest Service Rd 3812, South three miles.
Level 1 (GET READY)
East of Bly Mountain Cutoff Rd, North to Hwy 140 and Kingfisher Dr, West of Hummingbird Dr, South to Grizzly Ln.
Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Search and Rescue Volunteers are in the process of evacuating affected residents.
American Red Cross and the Klamath County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) have set up shelter at the Living Springs Fellow Church (31897 Mission St, Bonanza, OR 97623). The shelter offers temporary housing, meals, first aid and a pet shelter.
Live Video
KFN Publisher, Brian Gailey, reports live from Bonanza looking northerly toward smoke rising from the Cutoff Fire. Video is reported at approximately 4:30 PM, Sunday, June 20, 2021.
Brandon Fowler, Klamath County Emergency Manager, provides an update on the Cutoff Fire. Video streamed live at approximately 2:20 PM, June 20, 2021.
Photography from the fire
RELATED
June 20, 2021 - Cutoff Fire burns 1000 acres
June 19, 2021 - Cutoff Fire ignites on Bly Mountain, Level 3 Evacuations ordered
Additional information on the Cutoff Fire can be located on their Facebook Page ( https://www.facebook.com/CutoffFire2021/ ) and on Inciweb at ( https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7561/ )
Klamath Falls News & Cascade Firewatch’s coverage of the 2021 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.
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