Replanting Oregon’s Fremont–Winema National Forest
The Bootleg Fire: Replanting Oregon’s Fremont–Winema National Forest
The Bootleg Fire of 2021 was one of the largest wildfires in Oregon’s history, burning nearly 400,000 acres across the Fremont–Winema National Forest. Ignited by lightning during a period of extreme drought, the fire spread through dense conifer stands, dry brush, and drought-stressed forests—creating a megafire that transformed the landscape on a massive scale.
Even after the flames were extinguished, one truth remained: this forest will need years of care, new seedlings, and committed reforestation partners to fully recover.
Where the Bootleg Fire Burned
The fire ignited near Fuego Mountain on the Chiloquin Ranger District and rapidly spread across mixed conifer forests, lodgepole pine stands, and high-country meadows. Rural communities such as Beatty, Sycan Estates, Sprague River, and Chiloquin faced evacuations as shifting winds pushed flames toward homes and ranchlands.
The burn area also overlaps with the ancestral territory of the Klamath Tribes, affecting important ecological and cultural landscapes—especially the riparian corridors that support native fish species.
Why the Fire Became a Megafire
Several conditions combined to make the Bootleg Fire one of the most significant wildfires ever recorded in Oregon:
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Severe drought and record heat dried fuels to critical levels
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Strong winds and low humidity caused rapid fire spread
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Dense, overstocked forests allowed flames to climb into the canopy
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The fire generated pyrocumulus clouds and even its own lightning
More than 2,000 personnel worked to contain it, and full containment took over a month.
What the Fire Revealed
The aftermath of the Bootleg Fire highlighted two striking contrasts across the Fremont–Winema landscape:
Treated Forests Survived Better
In areas where the Forest Service and partners had completed thinning projects or prescribed burns, the fire burned at lower severity. These pockets—often called green islands—retained mature trees and provided safer zones for firefighters, underscoring how critical adequate Forest Service funding is for keeping our forests healthy and resilient.
Untreated Forests Burned Hotter
Where fuels were heavy or drought stress was extreme, the fire created large patches of high-severity burn, killing most standing trees and leaving little natural seed source for regeneration.
The Bootleg Fire has since become a case study in how active forest management can improve resilience in a warming, drying climate.
Recovery and Reforestation on the Fremont
Restoration work began immediately after the fire:
Natural Regeneration
Areas that experienced moderate burn are already showing signs of recovery, with seedlings, shrubs, and grasses returning as surviving trees drop new seed.
Active Reforestation
High-severity zones require intentional replanting with climate-tolerant, native species such as ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and lodgepole pine. Restoration partners are:
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Collecting local seed
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Growing millions of tree seedlings
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Replanting priority zones with limited natural regeneration
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Restoring riparian areas impacted by erosion and sediment
Long-Term Vision
Full recovery will take years, but these efforts will help stabilize soils, restore wildlife habitat, and rebuild the forest structure needed for future resilience.
Our Trees Planted on the Bootleg Fire Burn Scar
A Living Tribute is honored to support the restoration of Oregon's Klamath Falls Basin region following the Bootleg Fire.
In partnership with reforestation teams on the ground, we are planting native tree seedlings directly within the burn scar to help regenerate high-severity areas with limited natural recovery.
Our planting areas are located just west of Summer Lake and east of Yamsay Mountain, a landscape shaped by centuries of ecological change. You can explore these restoration sites in detail using the virtual map below:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?mid=1nZb_Fysh-m9geufyIy3hQ3NbB59KC9A&usp=sharing
Tree Types Planted:
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Lodgepole Pine
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Ponderosa Pine
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Western Larch
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White Fir
How You Can Help Restore Oregon’s Forests
When you plant a tree in Oregon as a gift or living memorial through A Living Tribute, you are directly supporting ongoing restoration efforts in wildfire-affected areas—including the Bootleg Fire scar.
You can honor a loved one, celebrate a special occasion, or give a meaningful gift while helping new trees take root where they are needed most.
👉 Plant a Tree in Oregon:
https://shop.alivingtribute.org/products/plant-a-tree-oregon
A Living Tribute: Our Commitment to Wildfire Recovery
For more than a decade, A Living Tribute has helped families, friends, and communities plant memorial and tribute trees across North America. Many of our trees are planted in regions recovering from major wildfires, storms, and forest health challenges.
Our mission is simple:
Restore forests, honor lives, and help new trees take root for future generations.
Thank you for being part of this recovery effort and for supporting the ongoing restoration of Oregon’s forests.