LAKEVIEW, Ore. – Area residents and visitors are reminded that there is an emergency closure order for the Bootleg Fire on the Fremont-Winema National Forest for both public and firefighter safety and travel or entry into the area is prohibited.
To provide space for wildfire suppression activities to happen safely, preserve access to firefighter escape routes if needed and to help prevent vehicle accidents, it is important to stay out of the area.
“Whether it is curiosity or getting ready for hunting season, we understand our area residents and visitors want to get back into the Forest,” said Forest Supervisor Barry Imler. “We also understand and share the frustration of our communities on the east side of the Forest to not have access to loved local recreation sites during the late summer and fall for the second season in a row due to wildfire.”
The Bootleg Fire has created serious safety hazards within the closure area, some of which will be ongoing until winter snows.
The fire has burned over cattleguards, bridges and roads, resulting in damage. As conditions allow, Forest Service engineers will be inspecting these structures and roads to determine the extent of the damage and if there is a need to repair or replace them. Fire equipment has also accelerated damage to numerous Forest roads, making them unsafe for travel until repair and restoration activities are completed.
Among the upcoming priorities as the fire is contained and controlled is the removal of hazard trees along roads and near recreation areas to improve safety.
“We appreciate the support and cooperation of our local communities, residents, and visitors as wildland firefighting resources work on the Bootleg Fire,” Imler said. “There is still a lot of work to be done after the fire is contained and shifts back to the local units. Your patience, understanding and continued cooperation during that work will help us restore and care for the resources affected by the Bootleg Fire.”
The closure area is on National Forest System lands south of Silver Lake Road between U.S. Highway 97 and Oregon State Highway 31; west of Oregon State Highway 31 and U.S. Highway 395; north of Oregon State Highway 140 between U.S. Highway 395 and Sprague River Road; northeast of Sprague River Road between State Highway 140 and U.S. Highway 97; and east of U.S. Highway 97 between Chiloquin and Silver Lake Road.
All roads, recreation sites and facilities remain closed within the closure area.
The order is formally referenced as Closure Order Number 06-02-21-07. Violations of the prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.
For more information on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema, follow the Forest on Twitter @FremontWinemaNF or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/R6FWNF
View of a cattleguard damaged in the Bootleg Fire area following an inspection and determination that it is unsafe to drive over.
View underneath a damaged cattleguard in the Bootleg Fire area and the burned wooden support and exposed rebar. The compromised support increases the risk of the cattleguard failing and collapsing under the weight of a vehicle, resulting in damage to the vehicle and possible injury to the driver and any passengers.
View looking under a damaged cattleguard on the Bootleg Fire, the burned wooden support and hole created underneath, compromising the structure of the cattleguard.
