Single Publication

Park Fire Update: Saturday, August 31, 2024

Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 2

Incident Commander John Truett

Size: 429,603 acres 

Start Date: July 24, 2024

Containment: 95 percent

Total Personnel: 1,514

Resources: 1 helicopter, 38 engines, 52 dozers, 94 water tenders, 17 masticators, 82 excavators, 13 feller bunchers, 10 skidsteers

CURRENT SITUATION: All firefighters and equipment resources working on fire-impacted Lassen National Forest lands have been assigned to one of three project-based groups: roads, hazard trees, and fire-suppression repair. These groups aren’t limited to working a specific geographical area of the fire as is the case during the suppression phase. Rather, crews are moving around the fire area to wherever their skills and equipment are needed most. To facilitate the post-suppression work and prioritize areas that need repairing, fire personnel called resource advisors are working closely with operations supervisors and equipment operators. There are currently 23 resource advisors working on the incident. Resource advisors are familiar with the natural and cultural resources unique to the Lassen National Forest. They ensure that suppression repairs are effective and complete. For example, many containment lines that helped halt the fire’s spread were constructed with dozers. Resource advisors and heavy-equipment operators are now returning those containment lines to a more natural-looking state and stabilizing the soil to prevent erosion and sedimentation in waterways. Riparian areas that fire personnel and resource advisors are working to repair and protect include Mill Creek, Childs Meadow, and Deer Creek.

WEATHER & FIRE BEHAVIOR: Unseasonably hot, dry conditions will persist through the holiday weekend, and no precipitation is expected. All vegetation—particularly the extremely abundant grasses—in the fire’s vicinity is very dry and receptive to burning. Any new fires could spread quickly and be difficult for firefighters to initially contain. Therefore, the public should be particularly cautious this holiday weekend and know what fire restrictions are in effect for the areas in which they are recreating.

SAFETY—AREA CLOSURES & FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Lassen National Forest lands, roads, and trails near the fire are temporarily closed under Forest Order No. 06-24-07. We ask that people observe the closure and not attempt to access closed roads, allowing firefighters to focus on their already hazardous work and not be further endangered by vehicle traffic. 

Fire restrictions are also in effect within the Lassen National Forest under Forest Order No. 06-24-04. Both forest orders and supplemental information can be viewed here: fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices. Know before you go! Find links to other land management agencies’ fire restrictions in the Park Fire Information Linktree (URL and QR code below).

Park Fire Information (Southwest CIMT 2): 530-414-9298  | 2024.park@firenet.gov               

Park Fire Information (CAL FIRE): 530-529-9233

Park Fire Linktree (fire information website links): linktr.ee/park_fire