Captain Bryson, Sheriff Kaber, and Sargent Lewis discus evacuation options on the Golden Fire July 22, 2023 (Image: Brian Gailey)

The following is a press release from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office

BONANZA, Ore. - The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Golden Fire, on Bly Mountain, which began in the afternoon of July 22, 2023. Deputies, Search and Rescue volunteers, and other agencies began notifying and evacuating residents immediately.

Most evacuated residents were advised of resources being sent to the Bonanza High School which was made available by the [Klamath] County School District.

The Red Cross and the Community Emergency Response Team were on scene providing services including a small Animal Rescue Trailer.

A large portion of the area remains under a Level III evacuation although many residents were able to return to their property after initially being evacuated.

The fire area covers more than 2,000 acres as of this morning.

Deputies from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office plan evacuation orders related to the Golden Fire north of Bonanza in Klamath County, Ore. July 22, 2023 (Image: Brian Gailey)

Up-to-date information can be found at the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) www.scofmp.org or on their Facebook Page under “SCOFMP”.

[Fire information is provided by Klamath Falls News via Cascade Firewatch.]

Additional firefighting resources are arriving today and more information will become available through combined public information efforts.

The origin and cause of the fire is under investigation and will be determined by fire cause investigators from the Oregon Department of Forestry. Detectives from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office will be working with the fire investigator(s) due to the likelihood the fire was caused by a reckless act.

Initial information is that the fire began on private property being used to grow marijuana illegally.

Klamath County is under a Red Flag Warning today with low humidity and gusty winds expected. Please follow the direction and advice of local fire officials.