Local business kickstarts funding campaign for volunteer First Responders, challenges community

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Local business kickstarts funding campaign for volunteer First Responders, challenges community

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Klamath Community Leadership Foundation announced Thursday generous contributions from Wilsonart to assist two critical local volunteer organizations. The first contribution will assist volunteer firefighters in replacing and restoring materials and supplies damaged and exhausted in this year’s Bootleg and other wildfires. The second contribution is to aid the volunteer Search and Rescue organization within the Klamath County Sheriff’s office.

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While some restrictions lifting, fire closures remain in place in South Central Oregon

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While some restrictions lifting, fire closures remain in place in South Central Oregon

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – Beautiful fall weather is in the forecast for this weekend and while it will be a great weekend for recreation and woodcutting, area residents and visitors are reminded to be aware of current closure orders and restrictions for the area where they are planning to work or play.

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Public asked to continue helping prevent wildfires this Labor Day Weekend

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Public asked to continue helping prevent wildfires this Labor Day Weekend

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – For many people, Labor Day weekend is traditionally enjoyed time to recreate on area public lands or work on outdoor projects. Even with recent cooler temperatures, fire danger remains Extreme. Fire officials from the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) ask the public to stay vigilant with anything that can start a wildfire this Labor Day Weekend.

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Bootleg Fire transitions to Type 3 team as new fires ignite

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Bootleg Fire transitions to Type 3 team as new fires ignite

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - A Type 3 incident management organization will assume command of Bootleg Fire from the Pacific Northwest Incident Management Team 2 on Saturday, August 14 at 6:00 a.m. In total, eight Incident Management Teams were assigned to manage the Bootleg Fire since it began on July 6.

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Bootleg Fire Burned Area Emergency Response Team starting work this week

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Bootleg Fire Burned Area Emergency Response Team starting work this week

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team started on Monday, August 9 in Klamath Falls, Oregon to begin their assessment of the Bootleg Fire. The fire covered 413,765 acres of land on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, and neighboring state and private lands.

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Bootleg Fire 96% containment, evacuations lifted, national forest remains closed

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Bootleg Fire 96% containment, evacuations lifted, national forest remains closed

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Firefighters continue to grid and mop up in the northeast corner of the Bootleg Fire near Silver Creek as they work toward achieving 100% containment. Control lines that have already been secured are being patrolled and firefighters are removing pumps and hose and other suppression supplies that are no longer needed. Some suppression repair activities are underway in the northeast corner of the fire.

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Two new fires burning on Bly Mountain

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Two new fires burning on Bly Mountain

BONANZA, Ore. – Two wildfires were reported this afternoon on Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) protected lands on Bly Mountain - Yainax Fire and the Walrus Fire.

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Bootleg Megafire containment 84%, not expected to 'burn out' until winter

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Bootleg Megafire containment 84%, not expected to 'burn out' until winter

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Yesterday crews reported smokes from smoldering and torching fuels inside the burn area as they widen the fire line and soak the remaining heat and flames. Dozers continue to straighten the ragged edge of the fire line on the east side for improved containment.

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Despite rain, Bootleg Fire activity picks up

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Despite rain, Bootleg Fire activity picks up

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Despite the recent rain, fire activity picked up yesterday. Fire activity increased as the warm day dried out the fire faster and wind gusts were stronger than expected.

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Bootleg Fire Emergency Closure area reduced in size this week

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Bootleg Fire Emergency Closure area reduced in size this week

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – The emergency closure area for the Bootleg Fire on the Fremont-Winema National Forest was reduced this week, with the southern edge being pulled up from the Oregon-California Stateline north to Oregon State Highway 140.

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Governor Brown visits Klamath County, sees devastation caused by the Bootleg Fire

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Governor Brown visits Klamath County, sees devastation caused by the Bootleg Fire

KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. - Governor Kate Brown today visited Klamath County, where she toured areas of damage from the Bootleg Fire and met with local officials, command staff, firefighters, Oregon National Guard members, and other frontline staff.

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Bootleg Fire evacuations lifted in Klamath County

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Bootleg Fire evacuations lifted in Klamath County

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Due to the hard work of hundreds of people working on the Bootleg Fire in eastern Klamath County, Klamath County Emergency Management is removing all current evacuation levels for those areas of the fire within Klamath County at 3:00 PM today (July 27, 2021).

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161 Residences destroyed in Bootleg Fire

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161 Residences destroyed in Bootleg Fire

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - This morning the Alaska Incident Management Team assumed leadership of the Bootleg Fire after several days of transition with the other teams. Incident Commander Norm McDonald thanked the Pacific Northwest Team 2, Oregon State Fire Marshal Red Team, and Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1 for leaving us in such a good position.

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Firefighter hustle lifts Bootleg Fire containment above 50%

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Firefighter hustle lifts Bootleg Fire containment above 50%

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - As firefighters successfully patrol and hold the containment line around the southern area of the Bootleg Fire, activity continues on the northern edges.

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Containment at 42% on the Bootleg Fire; Tornado confirmed on the fire last Saturday

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Containment at 42% on the Bootleg Fire; Tornado confirmed on the fire last Saturday

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Yesterday, fireline construction progressed north from Long Creek toward Coyote Creek. The day shift was able to hold the fireline from the 400 Road to the south despite some active fire behavior that was pushing to the north and west. Night shift was able to work the area between Long Creek and Coyote Creek and construct direct fireline with dozers, hand crews, and hose lay

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Bootleg Fire tops 400,000 acres; New evacuations in Lake County

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Bootleg Fire tops 400,000 acres; New evacuations in Lake County

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Oregon State Fire Marshall Incident Management Team has transitioned to working with Zone 2 on the north and northeast sections of the fire. Yesterday, the fireline into Long Creek was improved with hose lay and overnight firefighters were able to begin constructing a direct line between Long Creek and Coyote Creek. Crews continue to work on the contingency lines in the northern portion of the fire above Sycan Marsh.

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Nine Bootleg firefighters test positive for COVID-19

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Nine Bootleg firefighters test positive for COVID-19

LAKEVIEW, Ore. - Incident Management Teams are working closely with local public health and Oregon Health Authority’s investigation into several positive cases of COVID-19 among resources working on the Bootleg Fire. Nine individuals have tested positive.

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Congressman Bentz delivers remarks on Oregon Wildfires and Commonsense Coordination Act

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Congressman Bentz delivers remarks on Oregon Wildfires and Commonsense Coordination Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) delivered remarks on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Bentz spoke on Oregon wildfires, specifically the Bootleg fire, and his recently introduced bill, the Commonsense Coordination Act.

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Higher humidity and reduced wind help firefighters on the Bootleg Fire

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Higher humidity and reduced wind help firefighters on the Bootleg Fire

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Higher humidity and reduced wind speeds yesterday and overnight allowed firefighters to construct and improve firelines. Today’s forecast will be favorable to continue those efforts in securing the existing fireline. A steady warming and drying trend will begin today and continue into the weekend which can affect fire activity in the upcoming days.

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Firefighters to continue constructing and improving firelines on the 394,000-acre Bootleg Fire

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Firefighters to continue constructing and improving firelines on the 394,000-acre Bootleg Fire

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The weather moderated yesterday with reduced wind speeds, lower temperatures, and slightly higher humidity, which allowed firefighters to continue constructing and improving firelines. Weather conditions are favorable again today for the efforts to secure the existing fireline.

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