Golden Fire morning update for July 24

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Image of fire damage from the Golden Fire. July 22, 2023 (Image: inciweb)

FIRE DETAILS

CAUSE:
Under investigation

SIZE: 2,052 acres
CONTAINMENT: 0%

START DATE:
July 22, 2023

EXPECTED CONTAINMENT DATE: September 7, 2023

LOCATION:
Bonanza, Oregon
Bly Mountain

INCIDENT COMMAND:
Unified Command

RESOURCES:
Aircraft: 12 helicopters
Hand crews: 5
Engines: 10
Dozers: 5
Water Tenders: 2
Personnel: 141

STRUCTURES:
Threatened: 317
Damaged: n/a
Destroyed: n/a

FUELS:
Dry, mixed conifer forest with mixed understory consisting of brush and grass. Pockets of dense stands with significant fuel buildup beneath. 

Last Updated:
10:30 AM, 7/24/23

BONANZA, Ore. – Yesterday and through the evening, firefighters worked to hold the fire within the perimeter.

Additional Task Forces from Douglas, Lane, and Marion Counties arrived and worked through the night to complete tactical patrols on structures, extinguish remaining hot spots, and assist wildland partners.

Crews are working to keep the fire north of Keno Springs Road, south of Bly Mountain and Whiskey Creek, east of Rock Creek, and west of PGE/BPA transmission lines.

Firefighters will continue to construct and hold lines, monitor, and extinguish any spot fires, and protect critical infrastructure. 

Evacuations

The following evacuations remain in place: 

  • Level 3 (GO NOW) East of Highway 140E, south of Polar Bear Lane and north of Keno Springs Road. 

  • Level 3 (GO NOW) East of Bly Mountain Cutoff Road and north of Keno Springs Road. 

American Red Cross and Klamath County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) have established an evacuation shelter at Bonanza School, 31601 Mission Street, Bonanza, OR 97623.

For the latest evacuation information call the Klamath County hotline (541) 205-9730. To sign up for Klamath County alerts, visit http://alerts.klamathcounty.org. 

 

Weather

Today’s weather forecast predicts that high winds, elevated temperatures, and low humidities will continue creating the potential for active fire behavior. 

Weather Concerns:

Hot, dry, and breezy afternoon/evening winds are expected through the extended forecast. A trough will begin moving through the region on Sunday, leading to an increase in winds late in the evening both Sunday and Monday. Critical conditions could occur east of the Cascades both Sunday and Monday. Winds will peak across the entire region on Monday, and critical fire weather conditions are anticipated again east of the Cascades.

 

Maps

An infrared flight over the Golden Fire on July 23, 2023 has mapped the fire at 2,052 acres. Click to enlarge. Download PDF.

 

Outlook

Planned Actions:

Recon, Point protection of structures. Construct direct dozer and handline to limit fire spread.

Projected incident activity:

  • 12 hours: Red Flag warning conditions expected.

  • 24 hours: Dry frontal passage on Monday could increase wind threat through Monday evening. 

  • 48 hours: Hot, dry and windy conditions persist. 

Remarks:

Fiber-optic line from Klamath County to Lake County severed as a result of the fire. This resulted in loss of high-speed internet and 911 service in Lake County. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Conflagration Act. OSFM has delegation of authority from Klamath County Fire District number 5 and the county of Klamath. OSFM cost to date $291,000.

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