DIXIE FIRE:
Effective at 6 a.m. today, a local incident management organization with Mike Blinn as Incident Commander took command of the Dixie and Jumbo Fires.

On the east flank of the fire, crews are monitoring areas of heat near Noble Creek. This area is currently the most active portion of the fire, particularly on south-facing slopes, and is backing slowly down toward Road 421. Water handling equipment is in place to continue to soak fuels. On the northwest section, crews and heavy equipment have completed fuel breaks to contain the fire west of Road 1190 and confirmed completion of additional objectives along a portion of the road. Firefighters searching for hot spots throughout this area have found little to no heat over the last several days. In the Comstock and Dixie areas, crews will continue to maintain pumps and hoses and remove felled logs from fuel breaks over the next several days. A chipper has completed processing of materials resulting from fuels reduction work on the old wagon road. Crews will also monitor fire behavior along Blowout Ridge. Crews continue to observe no fire activity on the southern perimeter along the river.

JUMBO FIRE:
Percent completion is at 46%. Structure protection measures in the form of water-handling equipment (pumps, hose, and sprinkler kits) remain in the Concord and Oregon Butte Lookout areas. The two personnel previously on-site returned to the Incident Command Post. A small area of heat was observed by satellite on the southwest corner of the fire. The fire will continue to be monitored by aerial resources. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Warmer and drier weather will continue today. Temperatures are expected to reach the high 80s, with afternoon relative humidity dropping into the mid-teens. On Monday and Tuesday, northwest winds are expected to gust to 20 mph each afternoon, with increasing relative humidity. Lightning is possible on Monday morning and there is a chance of wetting rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. The recent warm and dry weather is resulting in more fuels becoming available to burn. More active fire behavior, including isolated torching of trees, may be observed in some areas.

Smoke
Within the western corridor of North Central Idaho today we may experience smoke that is Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy; the Air Quality Index (AQI) may reach Hazardous just area east of the Bedrock Fire. Conditions may be the worst in the late afternoon but improving overnight. From Orofino to Kamiah, between noon and sunset, smoke from the Bedrock fire will likely be “Very Unhealthy,” and could even reach the “Hazardous” category at times this afternoon. From Lewiston north to Plummer, should see the AQI fluctuate from Unhealthy at the worst down to USG at best, then clearing tomorrow morning until about noon. The Grangeville area will likely experience Unhealthy air all day, but may get a few hours of clean air Monday night. The AQI in Riggins and Salmon will probably continue to be in the Unhealthy category until tomorrow afternoon.

DIXIE FIRE:
On the east flank of the fire, crews continue to monitor areas of heat near Noble Creek as the fire backs slowly down toward Road 421. Water handling equipment remains in place to soak fuels. On the northwest section, firefighters are mopping up any last areas of residual heat to the west of Road 1190. Suppression repair is also underway. In the Comstock and Dixie areas, crews remain focused hauling felled logs from fuel breaks and maintaining structure protection measures. A chipper has completed processing of materials resulting from fuels reduction work on the old wagon road and the road to the old Dixie Guard Station. Crews are monitoring areas of activity along Blowout Ridge in the Comstock Creek area, where the fire is moving slowly down into the drainage. Relatively moist live fuels in the drainage are inhibiting rapid fire spread. The southern perimeter along the river continues to show little to no fire activity.

The information phone number for the Dixie and Jumbo Fires has changed; please call 208-494-1611 for fire information.
 

JUMBO FIRE:
Percent completion is at 46%. Structure protection measures in the form of water-handling equipment (pumps, hose, and sprinkler kits) remain in the Concord and Oregon Butte Lookout areas. Scattered heat remains throughout the southern portion of the fire. The fire will continue to be monitored by aerial resources.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Temperatures are expected to reach the 80s today, with percent relative humidity in the 20s. Today and Tuesday, northwest winds are expected to gust to 20 to 25 mph. Lightning is possible today, and there is a chance of wetting rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. The recent warmer, drier weather is resulting in more fuels becoming available to burn. More active fire behavior, including isolated torching of trees, may be observed in some areas.

Smoke:
Today North Central Idaho today will experience smoke in the range of Moderate to Very Unhealthy on the Air Quality Index (AQI). A cold front moving in from the West will help reduce, but not eliminate, smoke in our area. The counties of Benewah and Latah should see the “Moderate” smoke move out by 11:00 am; the AQI should remain Good through Tuesday Afternoon. Lewiston may see Good AQI in the late afternoon for an hour or so, but may experience Very Unhealthy AQI overnight, then clearing mid morning Tuesday. Areas east of the Bedrock fire (Orofino) may experience Unhealthy AQI today through Tuesday morning. The Grangeville and Kamiah area may see USG to Unhealthy air quality most of the day, then Good to Moderate AQI overnight and into midmorning Tuesday. Riggins & Salmon will likely have USG to Unhealthy AQI today and tomorrow.

 For the latest closure information for the Dixie-Jumbo and other fires on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, please visit https://bit.ly/NPCFireInfo and scroll to "Fire Closure Orders."

News Release

Fremont-Winema National Forest

www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema

Media Contacts:

Tamara Schmidt
Cell: 541-891-6758

tamara.schmidt@usda.gov

Bootleg Fire burning on Chiloquin Ranger District

CHILOQUIN, Ore. – The Bootleg Fire is currently burning on the Chiloquin Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest on Fuego Mountain approximately 11 miles northeast of the town of Sprague River.

The fire was reported around 1:45 p.m. today and is estimated to be over 100 acres with no containment.  The cause is under investigation.

The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain in mixed conifer and lodgepole pine.  Fire behavior includes running, torching and spotting.

Smoke from the fire is highly visible from Oregon State Highway 140, Sprague River Highway, Chiloquin and the surrounding area.

Multiple aerial and ground wildland firefighting resources have been fighting the fire this afternoon, including four heavy airtankers and three single engine air tankers.  Firefighters will continue to work on the fire tonight.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered.

The fire is currently only burning on National Forest System lands and there are no evacuations.

There is increased firefighting traffic in the area.  Drivers are urged to use caution.

South Central Oregon is continuing to have an active and early fire season.  Area residents and visitors are asked to use extreme caution with anything that could spark a wildfire.  Suspected wildfires should be reported immediately to 911.

###

South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership provides comprehensive wildland fire services to more than eight million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District; Fremont-Winema National Forest; Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Klamath Basin and Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complexes; and Crater Lake National Park. The area encompasses federal, state, and private lands within south central Oregon and northwest Nevada.

News Release

Klamath County Emergency Management

em.klamathcounty.org

Fremont-Winema National Forest

www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema

                                          July 6, 2021

Media Contacts:

Tamara Schmidt
Cell: 541-891-6758

tamara.schmidt@usda.gov

Update on Bootleg Fire burning on Chiloquin Ranger District

CHILOQUIN, Ore. – The Bootleg Fire is currently burning on the Chiloquin Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest on Fuego Mountain approximately 11 miles northeast of the town of Sprague River.

The fire is estimated to be 3,000 acres tonight with no containment.  It was reported around 1:45 p.m. today and the cause is under investigation.

The fire is currently only burning on National Forest System lands.  However, multiple structures are threatened east of the fire.

At the request of the Bootleg Fire Incident Commander, Klamath County Emergency Management has issued a Level 1 (GET READY) Evacuation notice for the Sycan Estates area north of the town of Beatty in eastern Klamath County.  Level 1 is notice for residents in the affected area that wildfire is potentially near them and they should begin preparations to leave should the Incident Commander believe further increase in evacuation levels is warranted.

In addition, two property owners closer to the fire area were advised that their properties are under Level 2 (GET SET) evacuation notice.  Level 2 is notice that the danger has dramatically increased and they need to be prepared to leave at any moment.

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

Firefighters are continuing to work through the night fighting the Bootleg Fire.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered.

The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain in mixed conifer and lodgepole pine.  Fire behavior includes running, torching and spotting.

Smoke from the fire is highly visible from Oregon State Highway 140, Sprague River Highway, Chiloquin and the surrounding area.

Drivers should expect increased traffic in the area from fire equipment and are asked to use caution driving in the area.  Area residents and Forest visitors are asked to avoid the fire area, including Forest Roads 44, 46 and 3462, as well as Head of the River Campground and Sycan Crossing dispersed campground.

South Central Oregon is continuing to have an active and early fire season.  Area residents and visitors are asked to use extreme caution with anything that could spark a wildfire.  Suspected wildfires should be reported immediately to 911.

###

South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership provides comprehensive wildland fire services to more than eight million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District; Fremont-Winema National Forest; Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Klamath Basin and Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complexes; and Crater Lake National Park. The area encompasses federal, state, and private lands within south central Oregon and northwest Nevada.

  News Release

Klamath County Emergency Management

em.klamathcounty.org

Fremont-Winema National Forest

www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema

                                          July 7, 2021

Media Contacts:

Tamara Schmidt
Cell: 541-891-6758

tamara.schmidt@usda.gov

Morning Update on Bootleg Fire burning on Chiloquin Ranger District

CHILOQUIN, Ore. – The Bootleg Fire continues to burn on the Chiloquin Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest on Fuego Mountain approximately 11 miles northeast of the town of Sprague River.

The fire is estimated to be 3,000 acres with no containment.  It was reported around 1:45 p.m. yesterday and the cause is under investigation.

The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain in mixed conifer and lodgepole pine.  Fire behavior includes running, torching and spotting.

Last night firefighters were only able to work on indirect firefighting tactics, strengthening roads and creating an anchor point, due to extreme and active fire behavior overnight.  Work was also done to assess and start protection measures for the two private properties northeast of the fire.

With ongoing hot, dry weather and winds today, it is expected that the Bootleg Fire’s behavior will continue to be extremely active today.

Numerous wildland firefighting resources are arriving on the fire this morning and throughout the day.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team is scheduled to arrive in the area this afternoon.

Smoke from the fire is highly visible from Oregon State Highway 140, Sprague River Highway, Chiloquin and the surrounding area.

Drivers should expect increased traffic in the area from fire equipment and are asked to use caution driving in the area.  Area residents and Forest visitors are asked to avoid the fire area, including Forest Roads 44, 46 and 3462, as well as Head of the River Campground and Sycan Crossing dispersed campground.

The fire is still only burning on National Forest System lands.  However, multiple structures are threatened east of the fire.

Following are the current evacuation levels, at the request of the Bootleg Fire Incident Commander, issued by Klamath County Emergency Management:

Level 2 (GET SET)

• Two properties located northeast of the fire.  Level 2 is notice that the danger has dramatically increased and they need to be prepared to leave at any moment.

   Level 1 (GET READY)

• Sycan Estates area north of the town of Beatty in eastern Klamath County.  Level 1 is notice for residents in the affected area that wildfire is potentially near them and they should begin preparations to leave should the Incident Commander believe further increase in evacuation levels is warranted.

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

South Central Oregon is continuing to have an active and early fire season.  Area residents and visitors are asked to use extreme caution with anything that could spark a wildfire.  Suspected wildfires should be reported immediately to 911.

###

South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership provides comprehensive wildland fire services to more than eight million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District; Fremont-Winema National Forest; Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Klamath Basin and Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complexes; and Crater Lake National Park. The area encompasses federal, state, and private lands within south central Oregon and northwest Nevada.

There is an area closure on the Fremont-Winema National Forest due to hazards and hazardous conditions created as a result of the Bootleg Fire. A map and details are included in the PDF file below.

The Bootleg Fire continues to burn on the Fremont-Winema National Forest approximately 11 miles northeast of the town of Sprague River.  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. today.  Temperatures today will be 85-90 degrees with winds 6-10 mph, gusting to 20-35 mph in the afternoon. A Red Flag Warning is in effect this afternoon and evening for strong, gusty winds with low relative humidity.

Yesterday’s operations: Fire behavior was extreme throughout yesterday and last night.  Firefighters worked on strengthening roads and identifying anchor points.  The fire crossed the Sycan River yesterday and is in the West Spodue project area on the Bly Ranger District.  The area has undergone recent fuel reduction and prescribed burning, which are expected to help firefighters.

Today’s operations: Fire behavior is expected to continue to be extreme today, especially with predicted weather conditions and the Red Flag Warning over the area this afternoon and evening.  Firefighters will continue to look for opportunities for fireline construction and to safely engage with the fire.  The Klamath County Structural Taskforce is expected to continue protection measures for private properties in the area.  The Office of Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Green Incident Management Team has been mobilized.  OSFM has responded with personnel to manage three structural task forces from Yamhill, Marion and Polk Counties.  The task forces will be 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 2 (Get Set)     
Two properties located northeast of the fire.

Level 1 (Get Ready)
Sycan Estates area north of the town of Beatty
Residents north of Drew Road between Sprague River Road near the town of Sprague River and Godawa Springs Road north of the town of Beatty.

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!

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

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.