Wildland firefighting is a dangerous profession, no matter how you slice it.  

  

There’s almost always a threat of falling trees or rolling rocks, days are long and spent primarily working in the sun and heat — add in burns, bee stings and poison oak, and there’s huge potential for injuries and medical emergencies on the fire line.  

  

But there’s another level of complexity in the wildland fire medical response equation — rugged and remote terrain.  

  

Wildland firefighters are often working in steep terrain that might be “near” a road on a map but is quite difficult to access when it comes to actually rescuing an injured firefighter. The risk of injury in rocky, steep or hard-to-access terrain is compounded exceptionally by the ability of medics and EMTs to actually access and extract the injured.  

  

This conundrum has resulted in the rise of Rapid Extraction Modules — REM for short — on many of the fires burning across the United States during the summer including the fires within the North Complex.  

  
 

These modules are outfitted for extractions in the toughest terrain, and aren’t afraid to utilize ropes, harnesses, pulleys or any number of other types of equipment that might have previously been features of the rock climbing community. REM team members often have years of medical experience as EMTs and paramedics, so patient care is high quality — but their bread and butter is their ability to get injured or sick patients out of nearly any predicament they might find themselves in, no matter where they are on a fire. 

  

  

“All of us have spent time on fires, on crews, and a mix of military and structure (firefighting) backgrounds,” said Adam Mack of Remote Access Medical, which is based out of Bend, Oregon but is currently working on the Bear Fire.  

  

Mack’s REM squad includes three EMTs and one paramedic, who is capable of advanced life support functions — IV’s, medications and even ultrasounds.  

  

“Having line medics and ambulances out here is vital, because they fill a niche that we don’t, but a line medic can only do so much,” Mack said. “As an individual and they’re limited on the gear they can carry, whereas we have a four-person team, two UTVs, we’ve got a trailer full of gear, we can carry more stuff.”  

  

REM teams like Remote Access Medical are, unsurprisingly, growing more and more valuable on fires that count on remote forest roads for access, and particularly for areas that require crews to hike long distances to get to the fireline.  

  

In addition to patient care and extraction, REM teams can also provide valuable assessments of potential work areas, to inform supervisors of how long they can expect a rescue to take out of a particular area.  

  

“It’s all about speeding up the extrication times for getting individuals out of these challenging areas,” Mack said. 

 

  See related file for today's SMOKE UPDATE

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 8 am

North Complex Information: (530) 316-4487; 9 am-9 pm
Email:2020.northcomplex.info@firenet.gov
InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7067
Facebook: facebook.com/LassenNF

Sheep Fire – Morning Update

Acres: 29,538 Contained: 71%

Resources: 9 dozers, 83 engines, 9 hand crews, 4 helicopters, 25 water tenders, 5 other heavy equipment, and 558 total personnel.

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the communities impacted by the North Complex fires. Find out where here: https://arcg.is/18vnSe

Current Situation: Minimal growth occurred yesterday on the Sheep Fire, but crews continue to strengthen line patrol for hotspots.

The crews kept up their efforts yesterday on the northwest and western edges of the fire to bolster containment lines and reduce any potential for spread. Crews are working to wrap up the fire near Williams Creek along the northwest side of the fire and out toward the Roxie Peconom area and Willard Creek Road along the western edge. The remaining portions of the fire are being patrolled and mop up is being executed where firefighters find any remaining heat. A majority of the smoke visible to the residents in the area is coming from pockets of unburned fuel far within the fire’s perimeter and does not pose a threat to containment.

Even though all evacuation orders related to the Sheep Fire in Lassen County have been lifted, it’s of utmost importance for residents to remember the fire is not out and to remain vigilant.

Please use caution, reduce your speed, drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel and fire equipment.

Remember, just because the flames are out doesn’t mean the danger is over. Damaged trees, structural damage, and flash flooding are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. Do not put yourself or your loved ones in danger by exploring. Expect to see hot spots and smoke for some time. Do not call 911 unless there is an immediate threat to life or property.

Weather: The sheep fire experienced warm/dry weather conditions and light north/ easterly winds that settled down this morning. Southwest flow is expected to return. The weather outlook includes the possibility of a heat wave starting today. There is a strong chance of record breaking temperatures this weekend with near 100 on mid-slope elevations.

Air Quality: Southwest winds will return this afternoon, bringing widespread light to moderate smoke back to the area. Smoke will settle into valleys at night and dissipate Thursday morning. Continued SW winds tomorrow may bring in additional smoke from other fires west of the Central Valley.

Closures/Evacuation: Lassen County – The dirt portion of Gold Run Road remains closed and the dirt portion of Wingfield Road is open to residents only.

Lassen National Forest: Forest Service Road 29N03, Roxie Peconom and Goumaz campgrounds are closed. For further information on closures, including Forest Closures in relation to the Sheep Fire, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices

Plumas County – The mandatory evacuation order for Quincy La Porte Road between Thompson Creek and Red Bridge has been modified to advisory status and resident have been allowed to return their homes.

The mandatory evacuation order for Greenhorn, Spring Garden and Highway 70 from Massack Rest to Spring Garden has been modified to an advisory and residents have been allowed to return to their homes. More information can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information

Plumas National Forest: For information on closures, including Forest Closures in relation to the Bear, Sheep and Claremont fires, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

For immediate text notifications about emergency alerts, sign up for the Plumas and Lassen County CodeRed Emergency Alert System on the following websites: Plumas—https://www.plumascounty.us/; Lassen —http://www.lassencounty.org/dept/sheriffs-office/sheriffs-office Visit CalTrans at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call 1-800-427-7623 for the latest maps and information of road closures in your area.

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire the surrounding communities.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 8 pm

North Complex Information: (530) 316-4487; 9 am-9 pm
Email:2020.northcomplex.info@firenet.gov
InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7067
Facebook: facebook.com/LassenNF

Sheep Fire – Evening Update

Acres: 29,538 Contained: 64%

Resources: 9 dozers, 83 engines, 9 hand crews, 6 helicopters, 25 water tenders, 5 other heavy equipment, and 558 total personnel.

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the communities impacted by the North Complex fires. Find out where here: https://arcg.is/18vnSe

Current Situation: While growth is minimal and containment of the Sheep Fire increases, work remains to be done.

Crews continued efforts today on the northwest and western edges of the fire to strengthen containment lines and reduce the potential for spread. Crews are working to button up the fire near Williams Creek along the northwest side of the fire and out toward the Roxie Peconom area and Willard Creek Road along the western edge. The remainder of the fire will be patrolled and mop up will be conducted where firefighters find any lingering heat. The majority of the smoke visible to area residents is coming from remaining pockets of unburned fuel well within the fire’s perimeter and does not pose a threat to containment.

With all evacuation orders related to the Sheep Fire in Lassen County lifted, it’s important for residents to remember the fire is not out.

Please use caution, reduce your speed, drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel and fire equipment.

Remember, just because the flames are out doesn’t mean the danger is over. Damaged trees, structural damage, and flash flooding are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. Do not put yourself or your loved ones in danger by exploring. Expect to see hotspots and smoke for some time. Do not call 911 unless there is an immediate threat to life or property.

Weather: Strong east winds will die off overnight, but the general flow will remain east until midday Wednesday as a westerly trend will return to the area. Temperatures are expected to rise, and humidity decrease which will continue the trend of increased fire behavior.

Air Quality: Moderate smoke impacts are likely for Susanville, Leavitt, Belfast and communities north and east of the fires as west winds return Wednesday.

Closures/Evacuation: Lassen County – The dirt portion of Gold Run Road remains closed and the dirt portion of Wingfield Road is open to residents only.

Lassen National Forest: Forest Service Road 29N03, Roxie Peconom and Goumaz campgrounds are closed. For further information on closures, including Forest Closures in relation to the Sheep Fire, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices

Plumas County – The mandatory evacuation order for Quincy La Porte Road between Thompson Creek and Red Bridge has been modified to advisory status and resident have been allowed to return their homes.

The mandatory evacuation order for Greenhorn, Spring Garden and Highway 70 from Massack Rest to Spring Garden has been modified to an advisory and residents have been allowed to return to their homes. More information can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information

Plumas National Forest: For information on closures, including Forest Closures in relation to the Bear, Sheep and Claremont fires, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

For immediate text notifications about emergency alerts, sign up for the Plumas and Lassen County CodeRed Emergency Alert System on the following websites: Plumas—https://www.plumascounty.us/; Lassen —http://www.lassencounty.org/dept/sheriffs-office/sheriffs-office Visit CalTrans at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call 1-800-427-7623 for the latest maps and information of road closures in your area.

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire the surrounding communities.

Sheep Fire – Morning Update 

Acres: 29,538 Contained: 64% 

Resources: 18 dozers, 83 engines, 10 hand crews, 6 helicopters, 25 water tenders, 4 other heavy equipment, and 682 total personnel.  

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the communities impacted by the North Complex fires. Find out where here: https://arcg.is/18vnSe 

Current Situation: While growth is minimal and containment of the Sheep Fire increases, there still is work to be done on the fire line.  

Crews will be focusing their efforts today on the northwest and western edges of the fire to strengthen containment lines and reduce the potential for spread. Crews are working to button up uncontained fire near Williams Creek along the northwest side of the fire and out toward the Roxie Peconom area and Willard Creek Road along the western edge. The remainder of the fire will be patrolled and mop up will be conducted where firefighters find any lingering heat. The majority of the smoke visible to area residents is coming from remaining pockets of unburned fuel well within the fire’s perimeter and does not pose a threat to containment. 

All evacuations in Lassen County related to the Sheep fire have been lifted. 

The following are instructions for residents returning home from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office: 

Please use caution, reduce your speed, drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel and fire equipment. 

Remember, just because the flames are out doesn’t mean the danger is over.  Damaged trees, structural damage, and flash flooding are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. Do not put yourself or your loved ones in danger by exploring.  Expect to see hotspots and smoke for some time.  Do not call 911 unless there is an immediate threat to life or property. 

Weather: Winds will be mostly east today and push the fire and smoke to the west. These winds could test containment lines toward Roxie Penocom and Willard Creek Road. This wind will bring low humidity and could fan fire activity on the interior of the fire perimeter where unburned fuel remains.  

Air Quality: Northeast and east winds today and tonight will lead to good air quality conditions east and north of the Sheep fire, but light smoke may remain in valleys. Reno is enjoying a relatively clear day. Smoke will settle into valleys west and southwest of the fires tonight. Tomorrow afternoon, southwest winds will bring smoke impacts to most of the outlook area. 

Closures/Evacuation: Lassen County – All Evacuation Orders in Lassen County related to the Sheep Fire have been lifted. 

The dirt portion of Gold Run Road remains closed and the dirt portion of Wingfield Road is open to residents only 

Lassen National Forest: Forest Service Road 29N03, Roxie Peconom and Goumaz campgrounds are closed. For further information on closures, including Forest Closures in relation to the Sheep Fire, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices 

Plumas County – All evacuations and closures remain the same and can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information  

Plumas National Forest: For information on closures, including Forest Closures in relation to the Bear, Sheep and Claremont fires, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices 

For immediate text notifications about emergency alerts, sign up for the Plumas and Lassen County CodeRed Emergency Alert System on the following websites: Plumas—https://www.plumascounty.us/; Lassen —http://www.lassencounty.org/dept/sheriffs-office/sheriffs-office  

Visit CalTrans at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call 1-800-427-7623 for the latest maps and information of road closures in your area. 

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire the surrounding communities. 

  See related file for today's SMOKE OUTLOOK.

Sheep Fire – Evening Update 

Acres: 29,527 Contained: 64% 

Resources: 18 dozers, 83 engines, 10 hand crews, 6 helicopters, 25 water tenders, 4 other heavy equipment, and 682 total personnel.  

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the communities impacted by the North Complex fires. Find out where here: https://arcg.is/18vnSe 

Current Situation: All evacuations in Lassen County related to the Sheep fire have been lifted. 

The following are instructions for residents returning home from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office: 

Please use caution, reduce your speed, drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel and fire equipment. 

Remember, just because the flames are out doesn’t mean the danger is over.  Damaged trees, structural damage, and flash flooding are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. Do not put yourself or your loved ones in danger by exploring.  Expect to see hotspots and smoke for some time.  Do not call 911 unless there is an immediate threat to life or property. 

Firefighters had another successful day keeping the fire in place and mopping up the remaining spots from previous days on the Sheep Fire. The spots were near Aspen Flat along the fire’s southern edge and west of Indicator Peak on the west side and have been lined and mopped up. Crews will focus on mopping up any lingering heat sources and ensuring the protection of surrounding communities. 

Weather: The Sheep Fire saw warmer and drier weather conditions and light northerly winds. Easterly winds will move into the area this evening with moderate humidity levels.  

Tomorrow, east winds will continue but diminish throughout the day. High temperatures and lower humidity will return and be similar to today. 

Air Quality: Northerly winds brought clear air for a portion of the day today, but communities downwind of the fire did not see much relief. Tomorrow’s east wind will bring poorer air quality for communities to the west. The greatest impacts again are seen closest to the fire, with Quincy and Portola seeing the highest smoke concentrations.  

Closures/Evacuation Changes: Lassen County – All Evacuation Orders in Lassen County related to the Sheep fire have been lifted. 

The dirt portion of Gold Run Road remains closed and the dirt portion of Wingfield Road is open to residents only 

Lassen National Forest: Forest Service Road 29N03, Roxie Peconom and Goumaz campgrounds are closed. For further information on closures, including Forest Closures in relation to the Sheep Fire, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices 

Plumas County – All evacuations and closures remain the same and can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information  

Plumas National Forest: For information on closures, including Forest Closures in relation to the Bear, Sheep and Claremont fires, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices 

For immediate text notifications about emergency alerts, sign up for the Plumas and Lassen County CodeRed Emergency Alert System on the following websites: Plumas—https://www.plumascounty.us/; Lassen —http://www.lassencounty.org/dept/sheriffs-office/sheriffs-office  

Visit CalTrans at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call 1-800-427-7623 for the latest maps and information of road closures in your area. 

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire the surrounding communities. 

 See related file for today's SMOKE OUTLOOK.

UPDATED PRESS RELEASE 8/31/2020 12PM

  SHEEP (NORTH COMPLEX) FIRE

EVACUATION WARNINGS LIFTED

  All Evacuation Warnings related to the Sheep Fire have been lifted.   The following are instructions for residents returning home:   1.     Please use caution, reduce your speed, drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel. 2.     Just because the flames are out doesn’t mean the danger is over.  Damaged trees, structural damage, and flash flooding are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire.  DO NOT put yourself or your loved ones in danger by exploring.  Expect to see hotspots for some time.  Do not call 911 to report unless there is an immediate threat to life or property.   Road Closures:

·        Forest Service Road 29N03 by Roxie Peconom Campground. ·        The dirt portion of Gold Run Road. ·        The dirt portion of Wingfield Road is open to residents only.
The Emergency Shelter at Lassen Community College is closed.

AUGUST 31, 2020 8 am

North Complex Information: (530) 316-4487; 9 am-9 pm
Email:2020.northcomplex.info@firenet.gov
InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7067
Facebook: facebook.com/LassenNF

Sheep Fire – Morning Update

Acres: 29,527 Contained: 38%

Resources: 21 dozers, 83 engines, 12 hand crews, 6 helicopters, 25 water tenders, 5 other heavy equipment, and 720 total personnel.

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the communities impacted by the North Complex fires. Find out where here: https://arcg.is/18vnSe

Current Situation: Firefighters had another successful day and night holding the fire in place and mopping up a number of spots from previous days on the Sheep Fire. The spots were near Aspen Flat along the fire’s southern edge and west of Indicator Peak on the west side and have been lined and mopped up.

Crews will focus on mopping up any lingering heat sources and ensuring the protection of surrounding communities.

Weather: A dry cold front stalled north of the fire area but is expected to bring north and northwesterly winds to the area as well as extremely low humidity. This combination could lead to increased fire behavior to portions of the fires and smoke production, but northerly winds could help push smoke out of the Susanville area for the day. Conditions will remain dry and smoky with little drought relief in sight as increased temperatures are forecast for the coming week.

Air Quality: Northeast winds this morning will become northwest this afternoon, and then become northeast again tonight. Smoke that settled last night between Greenville and Portola and Sierra Valley is forecast to dissipate this afternoon but might return again this evening. The greatest impacts again are seen closest to the fire, with Quincy and Portola seeing the highest smoke concentrations. Air quality from Susanville east to the CA/NV state line should continue to improve.

Closures/Evacuation Changes: Lassen County – All Mandatory Evacuation Orders related to the Sheep fire have been downgraded or lifted.

The evacuation center at Lassen Community College is closed.

Evacuation Warnings are in effect for the following areas: the south side of Richmond Road (golf course side) from Bauer Road and including Bauer Road to Highway 395 at the Susanville Ford Intersection and all driveways and roads accessed by the south side of Richmond Road; the Diane Drive subdivision; Wingfield Road and all roads accessed by Wingfield Road from Richmond Road to Bass Hill Road (the dirt portion); Elysian Valley Road and all connecting roads west of Wingfield Road east including Indians Road, Walking Stick Way and Elysian Valley Way.

Lassen National Forest: Forest Service Road 29N03, Roxie Peconom and Goumaz campgrounds are closed. For further information on closures, including Forest Closures in relation to the Sheep Fire, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices

Plumas County – All evacuations and closures remain the same and can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information

Plumas National Forest: For information on closures, including Forest Closures in relation to the Bear, Sheep and Claremont fires, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

For immediate text notifications about emergency alerts, sign up for the Plumas and Lassen County CodeRed Emergency Alert System on the following websites: Plumas—https://www.plumascounty.us/; Lassen —http://www.lassencounty.org/dept/sheriffs-office/sheriffs-office Visit CalTrans at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call 1-800-427-7623 for the latest maps and information of road closures in your area.

COVID-19: California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire the surrounding communities.