August 8, 2021
Location: 28 miles northeast of Klamath Falls, OR
Containment: 96%
Size: 413,765 acres (647 square miles)
Personnel: 1,125
Walrus Fire
Location: 10.5 miles N of Bonanza
Size: 75 acres
Containment: 0%
Yainax Fire
Location: 10 miles NE of Bonanza
Size: 88 acres
Containment: 0%
(Klamath Falls, OR) – Significant progress was made on the northeast corner of the Bootleg Fire yesterday and the official containment number grew to 96% due to hard fought effort by firefighters for nearly a month. Engine crews will continue patrolling the fire perimeter as a safety measure for the foreseeable future. Crews and equipment will continue efforts to return the fireline to a more natural state, repairing the impacts on the landscape caused during the initial and extended attack periods of the fire. Smoke will be visible in the interior of the fire perimeter until a season ending event (heavy rains or snow). The fire size remains unchanged for the tenth consecutive day despite being tested by the hot, dry, windy days over the last week.
Ground resources on the Walrus and Yainax Fires, aided by heavy helicopters, kept fire growth to a minimum and completed hose lays around both fires. Containment lines are being constructed and reinforced and have a high probability of success in the coming shifts.
Calmer weather conditions today will aid firefighter in continued suppression and mop up efforts on both fires. Forest closure remains in effect, please check with your local ranger district before entering national forest lands.
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).
August 7, 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: 1,124
Containment: 87%
Walrus Fire
Location: 10 miles N of Bonanza
Size: 288 acres
Containment: 0%
Yainax Fire
Location: 10 miles NE of Bonanza
Size: 88 acres
Containment: 0%
Currently, the PNW2 Incident Management Team is managing the Bootleg, Walrus and Yainax Fires.
(Klamath Falls, OR) – Fire activity on the Bootleg Fire was minimal yesterday. Crews continued to monitor, patrol and mop up along the fire perimeter. As containment increases, attention now has turned to repairing dozer lines constructed in the early stages of the fire, commonly referred to as “suppression repair”. Crews have begun work to return the fireline to a more natural state, repairing the impacts on the landscape caused by fighting fire during initial and extended attack. While interior burning and smoke is expected until some kind of season-ending rain or snow event, the fire size remains unchanged for the ninth consecutive day. “Everything we do on the fire matters as we continue to put finishing touches on this landscape and focus our attention in supporting initial attack,” said Rob Allen, Incident Commander for PNW2.
Fire managers sent resources from the Bootleg Fire to the Walrus Fire and the Yainax Fire to help local agencies with suppression activities. Fire crews used a combination of handline, retardant and dozer lines to slow fire progression. Crews were able to establish dozer line around both fires and will complete water hoselays around the perimeters today. Firefighters can expect gusty winds and interior torching today. Air resources will continue to support firefighters on the ground as needed.
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).
August 6, 2021
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).
August 5, 2021
Bootleg Fire Update, August 5, 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: 1,387
Containment: 84%
(Klamath Falls, OR) – For the third consecutive day, a Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch are in effect for this afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms associated with the edge of a cold front are forecast for today and are likely to bring gusty and erratic winds. Yesterday, smoke and ash from the Antelope Fire in northern California filled the sky, helping to somewhat moderate fire behavior. Despite the conditions over the past two days, the Bootleg Fire line is holding with no spot fires.
Fire activity has increased inside the fire perimeter, however. There remain patches of unburned fuels where the fire can spread and single- and group-tree torching has been observed. Snags and other hazard trees are common and crews and heavy equipment are still actively working the fire area.
As a reminder, the Fremont-Winema National Forest remains closed north of Oregon State Route 140. Public entry to the burn area is unsafe. U.S. Forest Service Renewable Resources Staff Officer Sean Ferrell commented: “We know you care for our firefighters and want to help in any way you can. The best thing you can do is be patient and honor the closure to give firefighters space so they can work safely.”
The Alaska Incident Management Team will transition command back to the Pacific Northwest Team 2 on Friday.
Community Meeting: Join us for a virtual community meeting tonight on Facebook live at 6:30 pm and streaming at the Paisley Community Center. Join us at www.facebook.com/BootlegFireInfo
Evacuations: Lake County expanded the Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation boundary to include the area north of Summer Lake. The expanded area extends from Mile Post 73 on Highway 31 north to Picture Rock Pass and east of the highway to include the Ana Subdivision. A Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation remains in place from milepost 73 on Highway 31 south to Monument Rock. A Level 3 (GO NOW!) evacuation remains in place for all areas within and adjacent to the Bootleg Fire perimeter, including Yamsay Mountain, Thompson Reservoir, and the Sycan Marsh to the top of Winter Rim. 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).
August 3, 2021
Crew members of the Puerto Rico Fire Crew mop up on the Bootleg Fire. Crews from across the nation are working on the fire which is currently the largest in the US.
Bootleg Fire Update, August 3, 2021
Location: 28 miles northeast of Klamath Falls, OR
Fireline total: 323 miles
Size: 413,762 acres, 647 square miles
51 miles active fire edge, 272 miles of contained line
Personnel: 1,617
Containment: 84%
(Klamath Falls, OR) – A Red Flag Warning is in effect for this afternoon and evening. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Wednesday. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. Specifically, these conditions include continued warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. Combined, they promote the rapid spread of wildfire and extreme fire behavior that could become life threatening.
Out of an abundance of caution and at the recommendation of the Alaska Incident Management Team, Lake County expanded the Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation boundary to include the area north of Summer Lake. The expanded area extends from Mile Post 73 on Highway 31 north to Picture Rock Pass and east of the highway to include the Ana Subdivision. A Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation remains in place from milepost 73 on Highway 31 south to Monument Rock. A Level 3 (GO NOW!) evacuation remains in place for all areas within and adjacent to the Bootleg Fire perimeter, including Yamsay Mountain, Thompson Reservoir, and the Sycan Marsh to the top of Winter Rim.
The Bootleg Fire containment continues to advance as firefighting crews mop up, improve fire line, and strengthen contingency lines. Crews are working tirelessly to ensure we are as prepared as we can be for the extreme fire weather forecast for the next couple days.
Just as firefighters have been preparing for the weather conditions, you should, too. Fire starts are not just from escaped embers and lightning but can also come from a trailer chain dragged on pavement, a hot catalytic converter in contact with dry grasses, or shooting firearms. “Any accidental or negligent release of sparks or heat can result in a fire that quickly gets out of control,” says Kristian Knutson, Fire Prevention Officer in Palmer, Alaska, and incident Public Information Officer. “Be sure to remove combustibles from around the outside of your home, such as firewood, fuel tanks, and gas grills. Keep shrubs and tree limbs away from your house and off the ground.” At this time of year, one less spark could mean one less wildfire.
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: A new complex of fires in Northern California sparked by thunderstorms started to put out a lot of smoke in the afternoon yesterday. Winds will likely carry that smoke into Oregon. Critical fire weather conditions later today could also increase fire behavior, putting more smoke into the air. Region wide, today should be generally moderate, though periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups cannot be ruled out. See: fires.airfire.org/outlooks/southcentraloregon
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).
Fire Information Public Phone: 541-482-1331 Fire Information Media Phone: 971-727-7255
Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7609/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/BootlegFireInfo
Twitter: twitter.com/BootlegFireInfo Hashtags: #BootlegFire #FireYear2021
Bootleg Fire Public Information
Email: 2021.bootleg@firenet.gov
Public Line:(541)482-1331
Media Line:(971)727-7255
