Incident Publication

QUINCY, Calif. – July 1, 2021 - Plumas National Forest officials are increasing fire use restrictions on public land to protect the health and safety of visitors, employees, and communities. The restrictions are in effect now through November, 30, 2021.
 

Building, maintaining or using a fire, including barbeques, on the Plumas National Forest is completely prohibited, with the exception of designated hosted campgrounds.  Restrictions also apply to internal combustion engines and smoking. A list of hosted campgrounds, other prohibitions, and exceptions to these orders, may be found within the Forest Order (see link below).
 

“We are in a severe drought, water sources are drying up, and a fire season is predicted for the western states unlike anything we have seen before,” said Chris Carlton, Plumas National Forest Supervisor. “With 95% of all wildfires in California being human caused, it’s critical we reduce or eliminate ignition sources to protect our firefighting resources, our communities, and our visitors.”
 

With a valid CA Campfire Permit, forest visitors may use a portable campfire pit, stove or lantern that uses gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel, with a shut-off valve, in an area at least five feet from any flammable materials.
 

Please see the Forest Order for specific details at https://www.fs.usda.gov/plumas (Alerts & Notices - Forest Order #05-11-00-21-10).
 

For more information and to determine if you are exempt from certain fire restrictions, please call our offices between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday:

Feather River Ranger District     Oroville / LaPorte / Challenge        (530) 534-6500

Mt. Hough Ranger District         Quincy / Greenville / FR Canyon    (530) 283-0555

Beckwourth Ranger District       Blairsden / Portola / Milford            (530) 836-2575

Fire use restrictions for private land are regulated by the CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; please check their website for contact information at www.fire.ca.gov.

Current Situation: Firefighters continue to make good progress on the Dotta and Sugar fires within the Beckwourth Complex that started this past week on the Beckwourth Ranger District. Direct and indirect hand lines have been completed around both fires and are holding. There has been no additional growth in the two fires over the last two days. Yesterday firefighters were aided by helicopter water drops that worked the edge of the fire aiding in mop up and creating deeper depth along the fire perimeter. Fuels within the interior of the fire will continue smoldering and burning themselves, out resulting in more smoke from the fires.

Control objectives for the Beckwourth Complex are to keep the fire north of Highway 70, south of the 28N01 Road, west of 28N01 Road and Frenchman Lake Road, and east of Beckwourth Genesee Road.

Evacuation warnings are still in effect for Dixie Valley and Maddalena.

The public is asked to please be aware of fire crews and equipment on the road as you return home from your holiday weekend.

Weather: The weather is expected to be warmer and drier with lower humidity and SW winds later today.

Air Quality: Smoke, including smoke from neighboring fires, will continue to become more prominent each day due to southerly winds. Refer to https://www.airnow.gov for more information on smoke conditions in your area.

Closures: There are no current highway or Plumas National Forest closures in effect.

This afternoon July 5, 2021, the Plumas County Sheriff's Office announced that the Maddalena advisory evacuation has been lifted for the Sugar Fire located within the Beckwourth Complex. 
 
 https://www.facebook.com/plumascountysheriff 

The Beckwourth Complex received help this week from firefighter’s that came from Puerto Rico to assist the U.S. with their fire season. The 20 member Puerto Rico Multiagency Wildland Firefighters Crew, led by Luis Saez, arrived during the initial stages of the Dotta and Sugar fires.

The Type 2 Initial Attack crew is made up of 20 members from local fire departments, state and federal natural resource agencies. They arrived during the initial stages of the Complex after spending a week on the Mendocino National Forest assisting them with initial attack of new fire starts and forest improvement project work. They are on their way home after which their sister crew will replace them for another 14-day assignment on the U.S. mainland. 

Current Situation:  As a result of the progress and hard work made by firefighters yesterday, the Plumas County Sheriff's Office announced that the Maddalena advisory evacuation notice was lifted for the Sugar Fire located within the Beckwourth Complex. 

As firefighters gain more containment on the two fires, demobilization of crews, overhead, equipment and aircraft are occurring to support other fire incidents in the west. There has been no additional growth in the two fires over the last three days and containment is improving.

Today, firefighters will continue mopping up, aided by helicopter water drops as they improve perimeter depth and strengthen fire lines. Fuels primarily within the interior of the Dotta Fire will continue smoldering and burning themselves out, resulting in more smoke over the coming days. However, an Evacuation Advisory remains in effect for Dixie Valley.

Weather:  A heating trend will persist over the coming week with warmer temperatures, lower humidity and southwest winds.

Air Quality: Smoke, including smoke from neighboring fires, will continue to become more prominent each day due to southerly winds. Refer to https://www.airnow.gov for more information on smoke conditions in your area.

Closures: There are no current highway or Plumas National Forest closures in effect.

Fire Restrictions:  Current fire restrictions remain in effect for the Plumas National Forest. For more information visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/plumas/home/?cid=stelprdb5374320 

Preventing Wildfires: We are asking everyone to remain vigilant this wildfire season. Please know and follow current fire restrictions. Report any suspected violations to local authorities. If you see something, say something. A single phone call to 9-1-1 can be the difference in preventing a catastrophic wildfire. 

This afternoon July 6, 2021, the Plumas County Sheriff's Office announced that as crews continue to make progress on the Beckwourth Complex the Sheriff’s Office is now able to lift ALL Advisory Evacuation orders in the previous effected areas.  

 The Plumas County Sheriff’s Department have issued the following statement at approximately 6:45 p.m. today:

 On July 6, 2021 at approximately 9 p.m. the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office issued this evacuation advisory for Dixie Valley and Frenchman Lake Cove:

 Current Situation: Late yesterday afternoon, the Sugar Fire, that is part of the Beckwourth Complex, crossed outside of its current containment line. The fire was pushed across the containment line as a result of 20-35 mph gusty, southwest winds. The fire grew approximately 1,875 acres overnight and is burning in a northeast direction towards Reconnaissance Peak. Air tankers, flying out of McClellan Air Tanker Base dropped multiple loads of retardant to slow the fire’s spread, along with helicopters dropping water, giving firefighters on the ground an opportunity to safely attack the spreading fire. Firefighters that worked yesterday’s day shift staffed the Sugar fire last night. Those resources included hand crews, dozers, engines and water tenders. A structure protection group comprised of local fire departments and Cal Fire engines provided structure protection to residences around the Maddalena area all evening. No structures have been damaged or impacted.