Firefighters work to extinguish a hotspot on the Golden Fire. (Image: Golden Fire Facebook Page)

FIRE DETAILS

CAUSE:
Under investigation

SIZE: 2,112 acres
CONTAINMENT: 9%

START DATE:
July 22, 2023

EXPECTED CONTAINMENT DATE: August 7, 2023

LOCATION:
Bonanza, Oregon
Bly Mountain

INCIDENT COMMAND:
Unified Command

RESOURCES:
Aircraft: 12 helicopters
Hand crews: 7
Engines: 45
Dozers: 4
Water Tenders: 16
Personnel: 440

STUCTURES:
Threatened: 317
Damaged: n/a
Destroyed: 43

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

Est. Cost: $2,937,000

Last Updated:
11:45 AM, 7/25/23

BONANZA, Ore. – Crews continued to make progress on the fire through the night, holding it within the original footprint by monitoring and extinguishing spot fires, expanding mop-up areas, mitigating snags, and completing tactical patrols.

Yesterday, preliminary structural assessments were completed. The report Monday evening stated 43 single primary residences and 43 outbuildings were destroyed by the fire. Assessors determine primary residence as including the following: a heating source, bed, and a cooking device.

Today, crews will focus on expanding mop-up areas around structures and continuing damage assessments.

Wildland resources will work to hold and improve lives, monitor, and extinguish spot fires, and mitigate snags. Crews will also be coordinating with utility resources as they work to repair damaged infrastructure.

The Golden Fire is managed under unified command between the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon Department of Forestry.

“Our hearts go out to the Bonanza community and those affected by the Golden Fire,” said Matt Howard, ODF Team 2 Incident Commander. “We grieve with the community and your loss. Our goal on this fire has been, and will continue to be, to contain this fire to minimize its impact. Our job is to fully suppress this fire so the recovery process can begin. That is our commitment to you.”

Community Meeting

There will be a community meeting tonight (7/25/23) at 7:00 PM at Bonanza School (31601 Mission Street, Bonanza, Ore.)

Evacuations

A portion of the LEVEL 3 area was reduced to LEVEL 2. The downgraded area follows west of Bechdolt Flat Road, south of Racoon Lane and Jaguar Lane. See map below.

American Red Cross and Klamath County Community Emergency Response Team have established an evacuation shelter at Bonanza School (31601 Mission Street, Bonanza, Ore.). For the latest evacuation information call the Klamath County hotline at 541.205.9730.

Weather

Today’s weather will generate the potential for active fire behavior with moderate winds and high temperatures continuing. Wind and low relative humidity will produce critical fire weather over the fire area. Weather conditions will persist for the next several days.

Weather Concerns:

High temps, low relative humidity, and windy afternoon conditions will persist for the next several days. Possible wind switch from the north in 3-4 days that could test the fire’s containment level.

Maps

Golden Fire Evacuation Map as of July 24, 2023. Click for larger

An infrared flight over the Golden Fire on July 24, 2023 has mapped the fire at 2,112 acres. Click to enlarge. Download PDF.

Outlook

Planned Actions:

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Projected incident activity:

12-48 hours: High potential for spread especially with slop-overs or spot fires. High temps, low RH, and windy conditions persist.

Remarks:

Fiber optic line for major portions of Klamath and Lake Counties severed as a result of the fire causing loss of 911 and LIFC inter-agency dispatch center operations, Lakeview hospital, Lakeview pharmacy, county-wide internet and phone service. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Conflagration Act on 7/22/23 for the Golden Fire. OSFM has delegations of authority from both Klamath County Fire District #5 and the County of Klamath. OSFM costs to date are $687,000.

News

Golden Fire morning update for July 25, 2023; 9% Containment