Bootleg Fire Update, August 6, 2021
Location: 28 miles northeast of Klamath Falls, OR
Fireline total: 326 miles
Size: 413,765 acres, 647 square miles
42 miles active fire edge, 284 miles of contained line
Personnel: 1,252
Containment: 87%
(Klamath Falls, OR) – Gusty winds and thunderstorms resulted in several new starts from lightning strikes north and south of the Bootleg Fire burn area. Initial attack resources have established perimeter to control them. The Walrus Fire and the Yanix Fire are about 75 acres each in size. The Yanix Fire has a spot about a quarter of a mile outside its perimeter and crews are working on initial attack and control of those new fires. The Pacific Northwest Team 2 resumed command of the Bootleg Fire from the Alaska Incident Management Team at 0600 today and assumed command of the Yanix Fire and Walrus Fire.
Today’s weather will not be as extreme as the previous three days. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity overnight helped slow fire progression. Skies have cleared of smoke today, which can encourage updrafts and increase fire behavior, but also provides good weather for air operations. Crews will remain vigilant today watching for new starts and responding with initial attack to suppress them.
The Bootleg perimeter has seen no significant growth in eight days. Fire crews continue to mop up and control the remaining active line, but most of the boundary is in patrol status. In some areas, chippers have started suppression repair work to help the forest heal.
“We want to return the land to as close to the natural state and natural function as possible,” said Resource Advisor Coordinator Bill Hedman. “In time, the regrowth will bring the forest back.” Crews will work with the national forest to salvage any valuable timber and will chip small-diameter limbs and return that biomass to the forest to maintain nutrients. Often vegetation isn’t completely cleared, but rather, thinned, leaving large trees to help the forest regenerate. Suppression repair gives the forest a head start to regrow.
Community Meeting: Due to the weather and power interruptions yesterday, the virtual community meeting was recorded and posted on Facebook. Check it out for the latest updates at www.facebook.com/BootlegFireInfo
Evacuations: Evacuations are dynamic. The best way to view the evacuation designation boundaries and details is on the interactive map available at tinyurl.com/bootlegevac
Closures: An emergency closure order is in effect for the Bootleg Fire on the Fremont-Winema National Forest to protect public and firefighter safety. All travel or entry into the area is prohibited. The full closure order and map are available on the website under Alerts and Closures at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/fremont-winema/alerts-notices
Red Cross Evacuation Shelters: For information or assistance: 1-800-Red-Cross (www.redcrossblog.org/disaster)
Smoke: Wildland fire smoke can adversely impact your health. Be aware of the smoke near you and learn about ways to mitigate smoke impacts. See the air quality near you at https://fire.airnow.gov and learn how to keep smoke out of your home at https://www.epa.gov/smoke-ready-toolbox-wildfires
Insurance Assistance: For additional information on submitting insurance claims after losing your home or property to a wildfire, please visit https://dfr.oregon.gov/insure/home/storm/Pages/wildfires.aspx or call the state’s team of consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free).