Golden Fire morning update for July 27; Containment reaches 18%
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Firetrucks of response teams from OSFM stage at fire camp. July 26, 2023 (Image: Golden Fire PIO)
FIRE DETAILS
CAUSE:
Under investigation
SIZE: 2,137 acres
CONTAINMENT: 18%
START DATE:
July 22, 2023
EXPECTED CONTAINMENT DATE: August 7, 2023
LOCATION:
Bonanza, Oregon
Bly Mountain
INCIDENT COMMAND:
Unified Command
RESOURCES:
Aircraft: 7
Hand crews: 15
Engines: 31
Dozers: 4
Water Tenders: 13
Personnel: 583
STUCTURES:
Threatened: 256
Destroyed: 46 Primary, 69 outbuildings
Damaged: 3 Primary, 4 outbuildings
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: $5,350,000
Last Updated:
11:15 AM, 7/27/23
Containment grows to 18%, and crews remain vigilant amid hotter, windier weather.
BONANZA, Ore. – Overnight, firefighters caught and quelled fire activity within the fire’s perimeter along the southeast fireline. Due to warmer and drier weather, smoldering materials in the thick duff layers around trees store heat into the evenings and sometimes reignite. To mitigate this, firefighters use handheld and aerial heat-sensing infrared cameras to detect hot spots.
Today, crews will continue to improve lines, mop-up into the interior, reassess structures and clear obstacles for utility workers. Crews also patrol the fireline regularly and monitor the interior and exterior of the fire to ensure it remains contained during mop-up operations.
Information boards: Information boards can be found at the following locations:
Bonanza General Store
31919 OR-70 Bonanza, OR 97623Bonanza Post Office
2899 Market Street Bonanza, OR 97623Cactus J Restaurant
31771 Oregon 70’Bonanza, OR 97623Dairy Diner
22121 Hwy 140 Dairy, OR 97625Fire Camp
25844 Petersteiner Rd. Bonanza, OR 97623Longhorn Saloon & Restaurant
2857 Hwy 70, Market St. Bonanza, OR 97623Red Cross Evacuation Shelter
31610 Mission St., Bonanza, OR 97623
Evacuations
Evacuation orders remain in place, but levels have decreased.
Level 3 (GO NOW)
The evacuation area is now reduced to a quarter-mile perimeter around the fire and the interior of the fire. Evacuation is maintained along Hummingbird Drive and Sandpiper Drive.
Level 2 (SET)
West of Bechdoldt Flat Rd, south of Racoon Lane, Jaguar Lane, and east 3-4 miles to the powerline corridor.
Level 1 (READY)
West of Highway 140 to Golden Eagle Drive and north to Parrot Drive.
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 will generate potential for active fire behavior. Wind and low relative humidity (RH) will produce critical fire weather over the fire area. High temps, low RH, and windy afternoon conditions will persist for the next several days. Winds will continue to increase in speed over the next few days.
Weather Concerns:
High temps, low RH, and windy afternoon conditions will persist for the next several days. Winds will continue to increase in speed over the next few days.
Maps
An infrared flight over the Golden Fire on July 26, 2023 has mapped the fire at 2,145 acres. Click to enlarge.
Golden Fire evacuation map as of July 24, 2023
Golden Fire public information map as f July 24, 2023
Outlook
Planned Actions:
Hold and improve current containment lines. Assess and mitigate hazards. Continue mop-up and assess needs to meet turn-back standards. Maintain point protection on structures, and critical infrastructure. Work with utilities and highway to expedite repair and hazard mitigation.
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 was severed as a result of the fire causing loss of 911 and LIFC interagency dispatch center operations, Lakeview hospital, Lakeview pharmacy, along with 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 $1,338,829.
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