Fire crews work spot fires as they prepare for shifting winds
/
A helicopter drops water on the eastern edge of the #CutoffFire near Bonanza, Oregon. June 20, 2021. (Image: Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)
Fire Details
Cause:
Under investigation
Start date/time:
6/18/21, 1:29 PM
Size:
1,150 Acres
Containment: 10%
Location:
6 Miles north of Bonanza, Oregon.
Resources:
Personnel - 250
Hand crews - 4
Engines - 18
Dozers - 3
Water Tenders - 7
Other Equipment - 2
Assigned aircraft: 9
Structures:
Threatened - 125
Damaged - Undetermined
Destroyed - Undermined
Fuels:
Timber & grass
Fire team:
Oregon Department of Forestry, IMT 1
[Coverage of the 2021 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.]
BONANZA, Ore.—Firefighters were kept busy overnight suppressing a number of small fires started by drifting embers on the southern and eastern flanks of the Cutoff Fire, six miles north of Bonanza in Klamath County. Fire lines on the northern and western portions of the fire held overnight.
Today, firefighters will begin mopping up those portions of the fire, cooling hot spots. Over half of the fire’s 1,150-acre perimeter has been lined. Containment remains at 10 percent.
The fire is burning on a mix of public and private forestland and threatens approximately 125 structures. Level 3 “Go” Evacuations have been reduced to Level 2 “Get Set”. (See evacuation details below)
Firefighters will be challenged late today when winds are expected to pick up. A red-flag warning is in effect from 5 p.m. due to thunderstorms with associated shifting winds, with gusts possible up to 25 miles per hour. These conditions are expected to challenge control lines as the vegetation remains extremely dry, similar to mid-to-late July conditions. Thunderstorms are expected to be dry early, but may bring rain later in the evening.
[Red Flag Warning issued for Monday evening into Tuesday morning.]
Map of the #CutoffFire as of June 21, 2021. [click to enlarge]
Additional fire maps, kfnews.org/wildfire-maps-2af38c
A total of 250 personnel have been assigned to the fire, including ground crews, fire engines, bulldozers and other heavy equipment. About nine aircraft will continue attacking the fire today, including helicopters. Other available aircraft are single-engine air tankers and a very large air tanker. They will drop water and retardant to slow the fire’s spread and help firefighters tackle any small fires starting beyond the control lines.
A community meeting about the fire is planned for Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Bonanza, which will be streamed live on the Cutoff Fire’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CutoffFire2021)
ODF’s Incident Management Team 1 has been in command of the fire since Sunday night. Incident Commander Joe Hessel said the emphasis today is on safety due to the changing wind and thunderstorms. “We want to keep the fire from spreading today in that very dry vegetation, so firefighters will need to be very aware as winds move around and increase in speed.”
Cutoff Fire smoke in the trees. (Image: Inciweb)
Evacuation Information
At noon on June 21, 2021, Klamath County Emergency Management, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, working with Incident Command for the Cutoff Fire in Bonanza Oregon reduced the evacuation Level 3 (GO NOW) to Level 2 (GET SET).
Level 2 (GET SET)
East of Bly Mountain Cutoff Rd, North to Grizzly Ln, West of Hummingbird Dr, and Forest Service Rd 3812 South three miles past Keno Springs Rd.
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.
American Red Cross and the Klamath County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) have set up shelter for evacuees at the Living Springs Fellowship Church (31897 Mission St, Bonanza, OR 97623). The shelter offers temporary housing, meals, first aid, and a pet shelter.
Significant events
Extreme, running, short-range spotting, and torching. Fuels are critically dry. Any new starts will establish quickly. Expect to see running, torching, and spotting. Gusty winds can effect spread and direction.
Outlook
Planned actions - Continue to secure, improve, and hold lines. Ensure all fire line is patrolled. Identify and be prepared to provide initial attack within the TFR.
Projected incident activity - Extreme fire behavior over the incident. Expecting increase in size and rapid rates of spread.
Current weather
Hot, dry weather continues through mid-afternoon. Cumulus buildups will develop after 12:00 p.m. and then build into thunderstorms after 3:00 p.m. Thunderstorms will start out dry and then become wetter by evening. Gusty, erratic, outflow winds will accompany any winds, especially early on when they are dry. Another round of showers and wet thunderstorms is possible Monday night.
RELATED
June 20, 2021 - Fire crews make steady progress on Cutoff Fire near Bonanza
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.
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.
We are currently looking for additional sponsors for coverage of the 2021 Fire Season. Would your business like to sponsor our coverage of the 2021 Wildfire Season? Send us a note at klamathfallsnews.org/contact for more information.