Detectives continue to investigate cause of Golden Fire; KCSO updates evacuation orders
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An incident ahead sign marks the edge of the Golden Fire on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Image: Brian Gailey)
BONANZA, Ore. - Last Sunday, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) previously reported that an initial investigation into the cause of the Golden Fire indicated it may have started within an illegal marijuana grow. However, a joint investigation conducted by detectives from KCSO and Oregon State Police (OSP) determined that this was not the case.
“The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation and will now be determined by fire investigators from the Oregon Department of Forestry,” said KCSO Captain Brian Bryson.
Detectives from the KCSO along with OSP will continue working with the fire investigators as this process is ongoing and can potentially take several weeks to complete.
Evacuation Update
As of July 25, evacuations for the Golden Fire have been updated as follows.
The Level 3 Evacuation (GO NOW) area is now reduced to a quarter-mile perimeter around the fire and the interior of the fire. The level 3 (GO NOW) evacuation is maintained along Hummingbird Drive and Sandpiper Drive.
The level 2 (BE READY) area follows west of Bechdoldt Flat Rd, south of Racoon Lane and Jaguar Lane.
Level 1 (GET SET) area now includes the west side of Hwy 140 to Golden Eagle Drive and north to Parrot Drive.
Golden Fire evacuations as of the evening of July 25, 2023. Click to enlarge