Dixie Fire East Zone Update for Thursday, September 16

The weather over the fire area is forecasted to be hot and dry over the next two days with an increase in winds and a chance of rain into the weekend. Most of the East Zone is contained with the exception of the Devil’s Punchbowl area. No growth is expected on the fire but unburned pockets of fuel on the interior will continue to smolder and produce light smoke periodically. Fire crews continue to find hotspots and extinguish them. Those hotspots have been identified by infrared imaging and patrols are located well within the fire containment area.

Yesterday, firefighters mopped-up, patrolled and monitored containment lines. Hotshot crews near the Devil’s Punchbowl area are hiking in backpack pumps to cool interior heat, identified by infrared sensors, which have potential to threaten constructed line.

Today, focus will be on maintaining patrols around the Devil’s Punchbowl area and mopping up lines in preparation for increasing winds this weekend. Firefighters will also focus on the survey phase of fire suppression repair, which is essential work to leave a better landscape behind and support our Plumas National Forest partners. Fire suppression repair are those actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion as a result of intense firefighting over the past two months. Repair includes removing hazard trees and repairing the hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.

National Forest Regional Closure Update: Last night the U.S. Forest Service ended its regional closure of National Forests in California. However, going into or being on National Forest System lands within the Dixie Fire Closure is prohibited. The purpose of these closures is to reduce the risk of injury to the public from ongoing fire suppression and repair activities. A violation of these prohibitions is 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 six months, or both.