Patton Meadow Fire grows to 2,000 acres overnight [UPDATED]

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Patton Meadow Fire update for August 13, 2021.

The lightning sparked Patton Meadow Fire burns 14 miles west of Lakeview, Oregon. (Image: Inciweb)

The lightning sparked Patton Meadow Fire burns 14 miles west of Lakeview, Oregon. (Image: Inciweb)

PATTON MEADOW FIRE DETAILS

Cause: Lightning
Size: 7,000 Acres
Containment: 0%

Location:
10 Miles W of Lakeview, Ore.

Start Date:
August 12, 2021

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

UPDATED: 2:00 PM, August 13, 2021, to include the following information and to update evacuations in Lake County.

Patton Meadow now estimated at 7,000 acres

The Patton Meadow Fire is estimated to be 7,000 acres with no containment.  Wildland firefighters are working to keep the fire north of Oregon State Highway 140 and west of the structures along Cottonwood Road.

The fire is burning approximately 10 miles west of Lakeview in Lake County on the Fremont-Winema National Forest Lakeview District and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) protected state and private lands.

Critical communication infrastructure is being threatened on Grizzly Peak by the Patton Meadow Fire.

Willow Valley Fire estimated at 800 acres

The Willow Valley Fire is estimated to be 800 acres, including 37 acres burning in California, with no containment. 

The fire is currently burning 16 miles southeast of Bonanza in Klamath County, mostly on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District lands north of the Stateline, as well as part of the Modoc National Forest to the south.  ODF protected lands are threatened.

ODF Team 3 is expected to arrive in the area the area today for both the Patton Meadow and Willow Valley Fires.  The Oregon State Fire Marshal Blue Team is arriving in Lakeview today for the Patton Meadow Fire.  A conflagration order is in effect.

Governor Brown invokes Emergency Conflagration Act

Governor Kate Brown today invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Patton Meadow Fire burning outside Lakeview in Lake County. The fire is estimated to be 2,000 acres in size, and there are Level 3 evacuations in place. The Office of the State Fire Marshal Blue Incident Management Team is mobilizing to the incident and will assumed unified command with Oregon Department of Forestry’s Team 3.

"With many fires actively burning across the state and several weeks of peak fire season ahead of us, I am urging all Oregonians to be prepared," said Governor Brown. "Fire danger remains high throughout Oregon, and just one spark can light a fire that will quickly spread. Please continue to follow local and statewide fire prevention regulations and share what you know with others. Every fire we prevent helps us keep our communities and firefighters safe, and our natural resources protected.”

In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Brown determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exist due to the fire, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The Governor's declaration cleared the way for the State Fire Marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire and further support a coordinated response.

The Office of the State Marshal’s Blue Incident Management Team and seven taskforces have been mobilized. Two taskforces were on scene yesterday evening in an immediate response capacity.

LAKEVIEW, Ore. - On Thursday, August 12, thunderstorm activity, including dry lightning, in Klamath and Lake Counties resulted in a new large fire that the agencies of the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) are actively fighting.

The Patton Meadow Fire was reported just before 3:30 p.m. and was caused by lightning. The fire is estimated to be more than 2,000 acres. It is burning a mile and a half northwest of Booth State Scenic Corridor Park, approximately 14 miles west of Lakeview.

Fire behavior is running and torching in mixed conifer on remote, rugged steep terrain on the Fremont-Winema National Forest Lakeview Ranger District, as well as on Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) protected private lands. The fire moved down the mountain tonight onto the valley floor west of Lakeview.

The Patton Meadow Fire has numerous air and ground wildland firefighting resources fighting the fires, with more resources ordered.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management has identified areas for Level 3 (Go Now), Level 2 (Get Set), and Level 1 (Be Ready) in the fire area.

Patton Meadow Fire (Image: Inciweb)

Patton Meadow Fire (Image: Inciweb)

- EVACUATIONS [updated]

Evacuation information for the Patton Meadow Fire.

Evacuation information for the Patton Meadow Fire.

Evacuation information is current as of 2:00 PM, 8/13/21.

  • Level 3 - “Go” Evacuations

    • Juniper RV Park to Patton Meadow.

    • All of Drews Gap, on both sides of Oregon State Highway 140.

  • Level 2 - “Be Set” Evacuations

    • North of Oregon State Highway 140 from Juniper RV Park to Lower Cottonwood.

  • Level 1 - “Be Ready” Evacuations

    • East of Lower Cottonwood Road and Cottonwood Creek.

- WEATHER CONCERNS

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches are in effect in parts of Lake County over the next several days. This means current fires may become more active and new fire starts may occur.

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.

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