Bootleg Fire: Shots Fired Near OR Crews; FF Briefly Lost

An Oregon property owner faces charges after firing shots around fire crews, and a firefighter was briefly lost as efforts continued over the weekend to contain the Bootleg Fire.

Klamath County sheriff's deputies were contacted when gunfire was heard near firefighters in Beatty, KDRV-TV reports. A property owner allegedly been firing a gun, and he was charged with the unlawful use of a weapon and menacing with a firearm.

"Residents who have returned to previously evacuated areas should understand that fire crews and damage assessment teams will be in the area for many weeks and should exercise extreme caution with firearms," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

No one was injured in the incident.

Also, on Sunday, a firefighter containing spot fires on the eastern edge of the Bootleg Fire briefly was separated from his crew members at around 6:30 p.m., The Oregonian reports. Specialty search teams and helicopters were called in, and the firefighter was found at around 8:30 p.m.

The firefighter was taken to the hospital to be evaluated.

The Bootleg Fire is around 350,000 acres and has burned down at least 70 houses and 117 other structures. Evacuation orders were expanded Monday to the northern and eastern areas.