7:19 a.m. PDT July 7, 2021

The Bootleg Fire grew very, very rapidly after it started in southwest Oregon at about 1:42 p.m. Tuesday, putting up a huge plume of smoke pushed to the north during the afternoon. The spread was described as “extreme, running, torching, and spotting” by firefighters.

The fire is 21 miles east of Chiloquin, 29 miles northeast of Klamath Falls, and 11 miles northwest of Beatty. (see map above)

(To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Bootleg Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.)

Data from satellites at 4:18 a.m. Wednesday indicated that the Bootleg Fire had burned approximately 5,000 acres, and was active throughout the night.

Firefighters are being mobilized, including a Type 2 Incident Management Team, NW Team 10.

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.

Stunning #pyrocumulus clouds above the #BootlegFire burning in Klamath County, Oregon, as seen from my flight this evening – just 7 hours after ingnition. #orwx #OregonFires pic.twitter.com/AnMFnu6nEY

— Kyle Montgomery (@KyletMontgomery) July 7, 2021