Bootleg Fire morning update for July 8, 2021

Smoke rises from the #BootlegFire burning 16,814 acres in the Fremont-Winema National Forest 11 miles northeast of Sprague River, Oregon. (Image: Klamath County Fire District #3, Facebook)

FIRE DETAILS

Cause:
Under investigation

Size:
16,814 Acres

Containment: 1%

Location:
11 Miles northeast of Sprague River, Oregon

Resources:
Hand crews 8
Engines 17
Dozers 7
Water Tenders 7

Aircraft:
Helicopters 2
Fixed-wing 8

Initial Report:
1:45 PM, July 6, 2021

Coverage of the 2021 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.

Northwest Incident Management Team 10 took command of the 16,814 acre Bootleg Fire at 6:00 AM this morning. The fire continues to burn 11 miles northeast of the town of Sprague River in the Fremont-Winema National Forest. The fire is 1% contained.

Numerous resources have been assigned to the fire thus far including 8 hand crews, 17 engines, 7 dozers, and 7 water tenders. 2 Helicopters and 8 fixed-wing aircraft are also assigned to the Bootleg Fire.

Fire behavior was extreme throughout yesterday and last night.

Firefighters worked on strengthening roads and identifying anchor points. The fire crossed the Sycan River yesterday and is in the West Spodue project area on the Bly Ranger District. The area has undergone recent fuel reduction and prescribed burning, which are expected to help firefighters.

Trees torch on the #BootlegFire. (Image: Klamath County Fire District #3, Facebook)

Today’s Operations

Fire behavior is expected to continue to be extreme today, especially with predicted weather conditions and the Red Flag Warning over the area this afternoon and evening.

Temperatures today will be 85-90 degrees with winds 6-10 mph, gusting to 20-35 mph in the afternoon. A Red Flag Warning is in effect this afternoon and evening for strong, gusty winds with low relative humidity.

Firefighters will continue to look for opportunities for fireline construction and to safely engage with the fire.

The Klamath County Structural Taskforce is expected to continue protection measures for private properties in the area. The Office of Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Green Incident Management Team has been mobilized. OSFM has responded with personnel to manage three structural task forces from Yamhill, Marion and Polk Counties. The task forces will be focusing on structural triage and preparation by creating defensible space around structures.

#BootlefFire (Image: Klamath County Fire District #3, Facebook)

Evacuations

At the recommendation of the Bootleg Incident Commander, following are the current evacuation levels issued by Klamath County Emergency Management:

Level 2 (Get Set)

Two properties located northeast of the fire.

Level 1 (Get Ready)

Sycan Estates area north of the town of Beatty
Residents north of Drew Road between Sprague River Road near the town of Sprague River and Godawa Springs Road north of the town of Beatty.

Closures

The Fremont-Winema National Forest issued emergency fire closure order 06-02-21-03 for the area between Forest Road 4542 on the western edge, along Forest Roads 45 and 46 on the northern edge to Forest Road 27 on the eastern side. Then to the junction with Forest Road 3462, heading west to the junction with Forest Road 3445, then south to the Forest Boundary, following the Boundary west to Forest Road 44 and then north to the junction with Forest Road 4542. Forest Road 44 is also closed between the Sprague River Road and Forest Road 4542.

Map of the Emergency Fire Closure [click to enlarge]

Safety Message

Watch for increased fire equipment traffic on area roads and highways, particularly in the Chiloquin area – use cation and drive defensively!

For the latest evacuation information, visit https://www.facebook.com/KlamathCountyGov. To sign up for Klamath County alerts, visit http://alerts.klamathcounty.org.

South Central Oregon is continuing to have an active and early fire season. Area residents and visitors are asked to use extreme caution with anything that could spark a wildfire. Suspected wildfires should be reported immediately to 911.

Maps

Information is provided by the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Klamath County Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Northwest IMT 10 is current as of 11:00 AM, July 8, 2021.

Klamath Falls News will continue to follow the situation and provide updates as they become available.

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.