Night crew sets day crew up for success

/
Checking for heat during mop up. June 22, 2021. (Image: Inciweb)

Checking for heat during mop up. June 22, 2021. (Image: Inciweb)

Fire Details

Cause:
Under investigation

Start date/time:
6/18/21, 1:29 PM

Size:
1,150 Acres

Containment: 23%

Location:
6 Miles north of Bonanza, Oregon.

Resources:
Personnel - 426
Hand crews - 10
Engines - 17
Dozers - 4
Water Tenders - 8
Other Equipment - 7

Assigned aircraft: 9

Structures:
Threatened - 125
Damaged - 0
Destroyed - 22

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.— Night shift resources made good progress on the fire. Crews worked on containing the 5-acre spot fire from yesterday afternoon. Firefighters also carried out a small, controlled burn of unburned vegetation in the fire’s interior.

Today the plan is to mop up 150 feet into the fire’s perimeter. Crews will continue to strengthen containment lines until the fire reaches full containment. The biggest threat to spread is hot spots close to the fire’s edge.

Tonight, an infrared drone will fly over the fire to map the hot spots near the fire’s perimeter. This resource maps heat that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Residents in the area may notice this aircraft as it operates after dusk along the perimeter of the fire. Members of the public are not allowed to fly drones near wildfires - if you fly, we cannot!

ODF Incident Management Team 1 held a community meeting last night. The meeting was recorded and is posted on the fire’s Facebook page [and embedded below]. Local fire managers and team members spoke at the meeting and answered numerous questions from participants.

Evacuation Information

As a reminder there are still evacuations in effect in the area near the fire.

A Level 2 (GET SET) evacuation is still in effect for the area east of Bly Mountain Cutoff Road, between Jaguar Lane/Racoon Lane and Spaniel Lane/ Crocodile Lane, west of Thrasher Drive.

A Level 1 (GET READY) evacuation notice is in place for other areas.

Significant events

Minimal, smoldering, creeping. Thunderstorms brought some sporadic rain around the fire area, however the incident received no rain. This will help increase humidities and minimalize fire behavior. New lightning starts will smolder and creep especially in the Juniper duff directly under the tree. Fuels are critically dry and will quickly dry out once exposed to the sun and some wind. The fire has been burning for a few days now and has created some fire weakened trees which can fall without warning.


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. Grid and patrol for spot fires. Assist structure protection resources to protect and secure structures as necessary. Scout for, and identify contingency lines.

Projected incident activity - Conditions will remain warm and dry, however, the threat of thunderstorms will continue through Wednesday. Fuel will continue to push record indices.

Current weather

Today’s weather is expected to be more moderate with warm, dry, and sunny conditions. There is a chance of thunderstorms today after 3 p.m. The best chance for a thunderstorm will be to the north and east of the fire.

Thunderstorms are expected in the area this evening, and they may bring gusty winds and brief moderate rain. There is even a slight chance for hail in the larger storms. Storms will move north of the area by late evening, and the remainder of the night is likely to be quiet with cooler temperatures and good humidity recoveries.

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.