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

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.

The Yainax Fire was reported at 1:15 p.m. and is estimated to be 75 acres. There has been active fire behavior and it is moving toward National Forest System lands.

The Walrus Fire was reported at 4 p.m. and is estimated to be 85 acres. There is active fire behavior and it is highly visible from Oregon State Highway 140.

The cause of both fires is under investigation.

Numerous resources were offered by the Bootleg Fire, including engines, handcrews, dozers and helicopters. Smoke from wildfires in Northern California and Oregon affected visibility this afternoon and air resources were unable to operate. As conditions allowed, there was a helicopter assigned to each incident for water drops. Air tankers were able to engage later this evening as smoke cleared.

The public is asked to use caution in the area due to increased fire traffic, especially on Highway 140.

Both fires are burning in populated areas. At the recommendation of the Incident Commanders, Klamath County Emergency Management has issued the following evacuation levels for each incident:

Walrus Fire

Level 3 Evacuation Notice (GO NOW – Residents should leave IMMEDIATELY.)
- All residents on Meadow Lark Drive, Porpoise Lane and Seal Lane in the Bly Mountain area.
Level 2 (GET SET – Residents are urged to be prepared to leave IMMEDIATELY if necessary.)
- All residents on Thunderbear Road, Round Prairie Court, Godfinch Drive, Chicken Hawk Drive and Sparrow Hawk Drive in the Bly Mountain area.
Level 1 (GET READY – Residents should make preparations for potential evacuation.)
- All residents between Night Owl Drive and Highway 140 in the Bly Mountain area.

Yainax Fire

Level 2 (GET SET – Residents are urged to be prepared to leave IMMEDIATELY if necessary.)
- All residents east of Kingfisher Drive and east of Hummingbird Drive south to Sandpiper Drive in the Bly Mountain area.

The American Red Cross and Klamath County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) are establishing a temporary evacuation point at the Bonanza School, located at 31601 Mission St. in Bonanza.

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

The area is still under “Extreme” fire danger, even with slightly cooler temperatures and some precipitation with recent storms. Fuels remain unseasonably dry and a single spark can rapidly grow to several hundred acres in a short amount of time. Area residents and visitors are asked to use caution with anything that can throw a spark and to report suspected wildfires to 911 as soon as possible.

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.