Bootleg Fire grows to nearly 39,000 acres; Level 3 evacuations near Sprague River, Beatty

(Update: New Friday acreage figure)

Spreads from Chiloquin to Bly Ranger District amid extreme conditions; Jack Fire burns along highway

SPRAGUE RIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Bootleg Fire had exploded to to nearly 39,000 acres by Friday morning on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, about 11 miles northeast of the town of Sprague River, after its growth prompted some Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuations Thursday. 

The fire is burning on the Chiloquin and Bly Ranger Districts. Northwest Incident Management Team 10 took command of the fire at 6 a.m. Thursday. 

Here's Thursday's earlier update from the new incident management :

SIZE:     16,814 acres

CONTAINMENT: 1%

PERSONNEL: 297

CAUSE: Under Investigation

RESOURCES:

Hand Crews 8

Engines 17

Dozers 7

Water Tenders 7

AIRCRAFT:

Helicopters 2

Fixed Wing 8

Today’s operations:

Extreme fire behavior has continued today, resulting in fire growth to the south and east, leading to additional evacuation orders. Despite the challenges posed by weather and terrain, firefighters continue to look for opportunities to safely engage the fire and to assess defensible locations where effective fire breaks can be constructed. Crews have also continued their work on protection measures for private properties in the area, focusing on structural triage and preparation by creating defensible space around structures.

 Evacuations:

At the request of the Bootleg Incident Commander, following are the current evacuation levels issued by Klamath County Emergency Management:

Level 3 (Go) – Leave immediately

• Near the town of Sprague River.  Upper Tableland area north of Oregon Pines Road.
• North of the town of Beatty.  Sycan Estates area.

Level 2 (Get Set) - Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice

• North of the town of Beatty. The area north of Highway 140, on both sides of Godowa Springs Road.
• North of the town of Sprague River.  Klamath Forest Estates/Moccasin Hills area.

Level 1 (Get Ready) – Prepare to leave

• None at this time.

Evacuation Shelter

Beatty Community Center

Closures:

The Fremont-Winema National Forest issued emergency fire closure order 06-02-21-03 for the area between Forest Road 4542 on the western edge, along Forest Roads 45 and 46 on the northern edge to Forest Road 27 on the eastern side.  Then to the junction with Forest Road 3462, heading west to the junction with Forest Road 3445, then south to the Forest Boundary, following the Boundary west to Forest Road 44 and then north to the junction with Forest Road 4542.  Forest Road 44 is also closed between the Sprague River Road and Forest Road 4542.

Safety Message:

Watch for increased fire equipment traffic on area roads and highways, particularly in the Chiloquin area – use cation and drive defensively!

FIRE INFORMATION:
541-363-7765
2021.bootleg@firenet.gov

INCIWEB:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7609/

FIRE PREVENTION:
Conditions are unseasonably hot and dry this year.  Please use caution with anything that can spark a fire!  Report suspected wildfires immediately to 911.

SMOKE:
Smoke is expected to continue to impact the local area.  For those who are smoke sensitive, it is advised to take precautions

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News release from the Oregon State Fire Marshal:

Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilizes additional structural resources to the Bootleg Fire.
Oregon State Fire Marshal - 07/08/21 4:35 PM

The Bootleg Fire in Klamath County is currently threatening lives, structures, and property as it moved to the south and east on Thursday afternoon. Forecasters Wednesday had issued a Red Flag Warning for strong, gusty winds, and low relative humidity.

Thursday, the Oregon Office of the State Marshal mobilized an additional task force and two strike teams, who will be arriving this evening on the Bootleg Fire. One task force was mobilized from within Oregon through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS) and two strike teams were deployed from California through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) and the Office of Emergency Management. Those resources will join the existing local, state, and federal resources currently at the incident. Pacific Northwest Interagency Team 10 and the Office of the State Fire Marshal Green Team are in unified command.

Governor Kate Brown declared a conflagration on Wednesday morning for the Bootleg Fire to clear the way for the State Fire Marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire. Three task forces from Yamhill, Marion, and Polk counties arrived on scene Wednesday evening.

“Given our hot, dry conditions and forecast for lighting, mobilizing regional resources to the Bootleg Fire, positions resources within the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS) well should we see new starts in other areas of the state,” Oregon State Fire Marshal, Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “As fire seasons continue to be more complex and fires grow, our interstate partnerships and relationship are an integral component of our response system. Our Office is thankful to our counterparts in California for sending extra capacity to protect life and structures.”

Hot, dry weather conditions along with lightning are forecasted in other portions of Oregon in the coming days. With high temperatures and weather conditions helping fires grow quickly, the Office of the State Fire Marshal asks all Oregonians to be cautious, safe, and help prevent fires. 

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Meanwhile, ODOT reported Thursday that Oregon Highway 138 East between Steamboat and Lemolo Lake junction will remain closed at least into this weekend due to wildfire next to the roadway.

A 14-mile stretch of North Umpqua Highway is closed between Steamboat Creek Road and Slide Creek (mileposts 41-55) due to the Jack Fire. It began Monday afternoon. The cause is still under investigation.

The fire is burning along the steep highway corridor, destroying guardrail and signs, and causing rocks and flaming debris to fall onto the roadway.

“We’re working with our partners in public and firefighter safety on when to reopen the highway to traffic. But now is not the time,” said Interim ODOT District Manager Jeremiah Griffin. 

ODOT has set up a checkpoint at Lemolo Lake junction for westbound traffic. The checkpoint allows local and recreation traffic access to the nearby area, including Lemolo Lake.

Latest fire information available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7605/