Pictures of aircraft in the field and up close

The mechanics of wildland fire suppression can be complex and fast paced because of the many ever-changing factors and variables in the fire environment. Whether it be different fuel types and terrain or geography and a new day’s weather. Firefighters must account for every dynamic to keep themselves and the surrounding communities safe. 
With all the different types of firefighting apparatus, tools and personnel, aviation is perhaps one the most complex. It throws an entirely new set of logistics and safety elements into the mix of operations. 
As of August 29, 2020 the North Complex (the Bear, Claremont, Sheep and several other fires managed as one incident) has 16 helicopters assigned, one fixed wing air attack and other fixed wing aircraft on standby if needed including; retardant delivery ships such as MD-87s and DC-10s – known as the Very Large Air Tankers. 
Aviation can serve a crucial part in fire suppression when used in tandem with the boots on the ground to accomplish what objectives are needed. Both ground and aviation resources must function together to be effective. Aerial assets slow the spread and progression of the fire so that the ground resources can get into place the stop and control the fire by constructing fire line, removing fuels and conducting burn out operations. 

When a weather inversion, smoke or other factors cause limited to no visibility, flight operations will be impeded because of the pilot’s inability to see the terrain, hazards and environment surrounding to include other aviation assets. These varying components will shut down flight operations until the air is clear and safe for the personnel on the ground, in the air and the public. It is not that the pilots do not want to fly, it is that air operations cannot and will not add more risk to an already potentially dangerous situation. When this happens aviation resources are moved to other divisions or areas other fires or use the downtime to do routine maintenance.  
“When you get into thick smoke, you can lose your vertical reference and orientation,” said Kyle Beinschroth, the Air Operations Branch Director for the North Complex. “The pilots have instruments but visual flight reference is preferred and they’ll always error on the side of safety.” 
For a detailed list and information on all the types of aircraft used in firefighting operations and their capabilities, click here or visit https://www.nifc.gov/aviation/aviation_main.html

A Virtual Community Meeting will take place today, August 30 at 2pm.  

Representatives from the Fire Management team will be available to provide updates on the North Complex fires: Sheep, Claremont, & Bear  
 
Participants can join the live Zoom meeting via web address, or by dialing in and using the meeting ID.https://usfs.zoomgov.com/j/1603272350
 Meeting ID: 160 327 2350
One tap mobile+16692545252,,1603272350# US (San Jose)Dial by your location+1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)

UPDATED PRESS RELEASE 8/30/2020 1:30PM

SHEEP (NORTH COMPLEX) FIRE

CORRECTED REPOPULATION INFORMATION

All Mandatory Evacuation Orders related to the Sheep fire have been downgraded or lifted:

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.

The following are instructions for residents returning home:

1.     Residents should be aware that changing conditions in fire activity may cause this area to escalate back to a mandatory evacuation order at any time. If you have evacuated large animals and vehicles, please keep them out of the area.

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

3.     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.

For questions about whether your address is under warning or lifted status, please call (530)316-4487. 

  See related file below for today's SMOKE OUTLOOK.

AUGUST 30, 2020 8 am

North Complex Information: (530) 316-4487; 7am-10pm
Email:2020.northcomplex.info@firenet.gov

Sheep Fire – Morning Update

Acres: 29,517 Contained: 38%

Resources: 21 dozers, 93 engines, 10 hand crews, 8 helicopters, 23 water tenders, 5 other heavy equipment, and 686 total personnel. Virtual Community Meeting: There will be a virtual community meeting today at 2 p.m. via Zoom

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: The Sheep Fire’s southeast corner had the most activity Saturday but overall the fire remained relatively quiet and stayed within its footprint. Crews were able to conduct mop up operations to 200 feet interior along the southeast edge of the fire and 100 feet in other portions.

Today’s plan calls for continued mop up and patrol as well as constructing fireline and improving existing lines.

Higher temperatures and lower humidities—in addition to potentially gusty winds from an incoming cold front—could result in greater fire potential and smoky conditions into early next week on the Sheep Fire, but crews will continue to strengthen and mop up firelines while providing structure protection where and if needed.

Closures/Evacuation Changes: Lassen County – The following Evacuation Orders were downgraded to Evacuation Warnings: Baxter Creek Road; Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave (open to residents only as there is still heavy fire equipment movement); Richmond Road and all roads accessed by Richmond Road from Hwy 395 to Pearl Circle, but NOT Cheney Creek Road; Wingfield Road including all connecting roads; Sunnyside Road from Hwy 395 to County Road A-3; Everything west of Highway 395 from Richmond Road east at the intersection by Susanville Ford to Janesville Grade and all roads in between; Main Street Janesville from Highway 395 to Janesville Grade and all roads accessed by Main Street Janesville. All other evacuations and closures remain the same. For text notifications about emergency alerts, residents can sign up for the Plumas and Lassen County’s CodeRed Emergency Alert System from their respective websites: Plumas—https://www.plumascounty.us/; Lassen —http://www.lassencounty.org/dept/sheriffs-office/sheriffs-office

Plumas County – Highway 70 is open. The road was closed earlier because of active fire behavior from the Claremont Fire as several spot fires crossed Highway 70 but were picked up by crews. All other evacuations and closures remain the same and can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information

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

The Pacific Crest Trail from Onion Valley to Bucks Summit remains closed as does Thompson Creek Road (Forest Road 24N26) and Red Bridge Campground. For further information on closures go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices. 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.

Weather: A dry front will move over the fire area today, bringing more northerly winds and lower humidities. This combination will encourage fire activity but also push much of the growth to the south and west. This change in the winds also should help alleviate smoky conditions in Susanville and nearby communities.

Air Quality: Variable and shifting winds are expected today, with southwest to west winds in the afternoon becoming northwest and northeast tonight. Smoke that settled last night is forecast to dissipate this afternoon but might return this evening. Impacts are again seen closest to the fire, with Quincy and Portola seeing the highest smoke concentrations. The Susanville area and along Highway 395 will improve as the northerly winds arrive tonight, but those winds may also bring smoke from the W-5 Cold Springs Fire towards the Honey Lake Valley. Visit www.airnow.gov for more information.

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.

Resources: 34 dozers, 173 engines, 23 hand crews, 15 helicopters, 49 water tenders, 18 other heavy equipment

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the community. Find out where: https://arcg.is/18vnSe.
Current Situation on the North Complex: The North Complex consists of multiple lightning-caused fires (August 17, 2020) on the Plumas

and Lassen National Forests.

The Bear and Claremont fires showed considerable activity and growth this afternoon as westerly winds pushed the fire to the east and smoked infiltrated much of the area. Of highest concern were a handful of spot fires from the Claremont Fire east of Highway 70 between Greenhorn Ranch Road and Harrison Road. Crews were working on the spots into the evening hours and confidence was high in containment. Structure protection resources are stationed throughout Greenhorn, Sloat and adjacent communities. In addition to the spots across the highway, firefighters were contending with several spots on the southeast edge of the Claremont – in the Spring Garden area – but were making good progress and had lines in place.

The Bear Fire also pushed east as the portion of the fire that slopped over Deadman Spring Trail continued up drainage toward Sherman Creek but remains north of the Middle Fork of the Feather River. Firefighters continued to work on indirect line north and west of the Bear Fire to protect the communities in that area and are prepping lines if firing operations are required in the future.

Crews on the Sheep Fire found a spot fire on the southwest flank early Saturday morning but were able to construct line around it and contain it quickly. Following this spot fire, slightly reduced fire activity was seen across the fire area on Saturday despite hotter and drier conditions.

Weather: West winds will continue through the early evening hours but a dry cold front is forecast to move in Sunday. The front will bring north winds and lower humidity. This combination will encourage fire activity but also push much of the growth to the south and west.

Air Quality: Communities closest to the fires experienced poor air quality today and it is expected to continue until winds shift to a more northerly direction late Sunday afternoon. For more air quality information, visit https://www.airnow.gov/

Closures/Evacuation changes: Plumas County – As of 8 p.m., Highway 70 was open with one-way traffic control by the California Highway Patrol.

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

New for Lassen County – The following Evacuation Orders were downgraded to Evacuation Warnings: Baxter Creek Road. Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave (open to residents only as there is still heavy fire equipment movement). Richmond Road and all roads accessed by Richmond Road from Hwy 395 to Pearl Circle, but NOT Cheney Creek Road. Wingfield Road including all connecting roads. Sunnyside Road from Hwy 395 to County Road A-3. Everything West of Highway 395 from Richmond Road East at the intersection by Susanville Ford to Janesville Grade and all roads in between. Main Street Janesville from Highway 395 to Janesville Grade and all roads accessed by Main Street Janesville. All other evacuations and closures remain the same.For immediate text notifications about emergency alerts, residents can sign up for the Plumas and Lassen County’s CodeRed Emergency Alert System from their respective websites: Plumas—https://www.plumascounty.us/; Lassen —http://www.lassencounty.org/dept/sheriffs- office/sheriffs-office

The Pacific Crest Trail from Onion Valley to Bucks Summit remains closed as does Thompson Creek Road (Forest Road 24N26) and Red Bridge Campground. For further information on closures go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices.

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.

North Complex Fires:

Claremont Fire 
Bear Fire
Sheep Fire – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7067/

Forest Closures: https://fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

Firefighters on the Claremont Fire are responding to a spot fire east of Highway 70. The fire is estimated to be 3-4 acres and located between Greenhorn Ranch Road and Harrison Road. There are significant structure protection resources in place in that area and multiple crews, including one handcrew and multiple engines, are responding.
Hotter and drier conditions—in addition to gusty afternoon winds—contributed to greater fire intensity and challenged crews on the north edge of the Claremont Fire today.
Due to an increase in fire activity Highway 70 is CLOSED from Squirrel Creek Road to Lee Summit.  

The Plumas and Lassen National Forests have issued closure orders in relation to the North Complex (Claremont and Bear fires) and the Sheep Fire. These orders only apply to National Forest lands included in the closure order and are in place for PUBLIC SAFETY.Complete closure order information can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

Acres: 29,517 Contained: 38%

Resources: 25 dozers, 95 engines, 10 hand crews, 8 helicopters, 24 water tenders, 4 other heavy equipment, and 653 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: The Sheep Fire saw moderate fire activity and increased containment yesterday and through the overnight hours. With east winds persisting throughout the day yesterday, crews were battling a spot fire on the western edge of the fire in the Roxie Peconom area early this morning and are working on containment today. Along the southeast edge of the fire, crews are looking for the opportunity to use fire to help clean up and secure completed dozer line toward Baxter Creek.

Hotter and drier conditions for the next few days might result in greater fire spread potential into early next week on the Sheep Fire, but crews will continue to strengthen and mop up firelines while providing structure protection where and if needed.

Closures/Evacuation Changes: Plumas County – The following areas were removed from advisory status:

· East Quincy, south of Lee Road from Radio Hill Road east. (To include East Quincy, south of Highway 70 between Millcreek (to include Mill Creek Road and Forest View Drive) extending east to Quincy LaPorte Road.

· Chandler Road (east end), from Highway 70 east to Carol Lane East.

Modified: The evacuation advisory for Quincy LaPorte Road from Quincy LaPorte Road & Highway 70 to Massack was modified to an advisory for Highway 70 at Chandler Road, east to the west side of the Massack Rest Area. All other evacuations and closures remain the same and can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information

Lassen County – The following Evacuation Orders were downgraded to Evacuation Warnings: Baxter Creek Road. Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave (open to residents only as there is still heavy fire equipment movement). All other evacuations and closures remain the same. For immediate text notifications about emergency alerts, residents can sign up for the Plumas and Lassen County’s CodeRed Emergency Alert System from their respective websites: Plumas—https://www.plumascounty.us/; Lassen —http://www.lassencounty.org/dept/sheriffs-office/sheriffs-office

The Pacific Crest Trail from Onion Valley to Bucks Summit remains closed as does Thompson Creek Road (Forest Road 24N26) and Red Bridge Campground. For further information on closures go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices. 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.

Weather: Winds will return to the south and southwesterly flow today as humidities will hit the 14-20% range. Winds will be 5-10 mph most of the day but gusts to 20 mph are possible. Continued hot and dry conditions will contribute to increasingly active fire behavior.

Air Quality: Variable winds, becoming southwest to west in the afternoon will push smoke east. Smoke that settled over the area last night is forecast to dissipate this afternoon but might this evening. Impacts are again seen closest to the fire. Quincy and Portola will see the highest smoke concentrations. Smoke in Susanville will depend on fire activity.

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.

Acres: 29,444 Contained: 38%
Resources: 25 dozers, 95 engines, 10 hand crews, 8 helicopters, 24 water tenders, 4 other heavy equipment, and 653 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: The Sheep Fire experienced slightly reduced fire activity today, which allowed crews to continue to construct fireline, improve existing lines and mop up, in addition to improving roads to contain the southern, western and northern sections of the Sheep Fire. The fire is expected to spread slowly on its southeast edge through the night, until containment lines can be built and improved tomorrow. Fire behavior is expected to be moderate tonight, but hotter and drier conditions coming in may result in greater fire spread potential in coming days. Crews will continue to strengthen and mop up firelines while continuing to provide structure protection where needed.

Evacuations: The following Evacuation Orders have been downgraded to Evacuation Warnings: Baxter Creek Road and Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave (open to residents only as there is still heavy fire equipment movement). All other evacuations and closures remain the same. For immediate text notifications about emergency alerts, residents can sign up for the Plumas and Lassen County’s CodeRed Emergency Alert System from their respective websites: Plumas—https://www.plumascounty.us/; Lassen —http://www.lassencounty.org/dept/sheriffs- office/sheriffs-office

Road Closures: Cheney Creek Road; Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave; Elysian Valley Road; Forest Service Road 29N03 by Roxie Peconom Campground. Plumas County Road 213 is closed at the intersection of the 28N03 Road north to the Plumas National Forest boundary where it turns into County Road 204. The 28N03 Road (the alternate route to Antelope Lake) remains open.

The Pacific Crest Trail from Onion Valley to Bucks Summit remains closed as does Thompson Creek Road (Forest Road 24N26) and Red Bridge Campground. For further information on closures go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices.

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.

Weather: Conditions are predicted to be sunny, warm and dry on Saturday. Possible cold front passage on Sunday night and Monday could bring strong, gusty north winds, threatening containment lines. Temperatures will gradually increase next week with little to no precipitation expected.

Air Quality: East winds are expected through the afternoon, which will continue to move smoke to the west and south. Smoke from the North Complex that settled over the area last night is forecasted to dissipate this afternoon but might return to the region again this evening. Impacts are again seen closest to the fire. Quincy and Susanville continue to be hardest hit by poor air quality.

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.