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.

AUGUST 30, 2020 8 pm

North Complex Information: (530) 316-4487; 9 am-9 pm
Email:2020.northcomplex.info@firenet.gov

Facebook: facebook.com/LassenNF

Sheep Fire – Evening Update

Acres: 29,517 Contained: 38%

Resources: 21 dozers, 83 engines, 12 hand crews, 8 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 a successful day holding the fire in place and mopping up a number of spots from late Saturday afternoon on the Sheep Fire today. The spots were near Aspen Flat along the fire’s southern edge and west of Indicator Peak on the west side.

The fire was not as active today as had been seen previously, but cooler, dry air overnight and throughout Monday could lead to renewed activity and the potential for increased fire growth.

Monday’s operations will continue to focus on protecting the communities at risk and mopping up any lingering heat sources along the line.

Weather: A dry cold front moves through this evening and will bring north and northwesterly winds to the area as well as extremely low humidity. Conditions will remain dry and smoky with little drought relief in sight as increased temperatures are forecast for the coming week.

Air Quality: Smoke dissipated this afternoon but only briefly and will return this evening. Impacts are again seen closest to the fire, with Quincy and Portola seeing the highest smoke concentrations. Visit www.airnow.gov for more information.

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 by Roxie Peconom Campground is 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: 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, 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.

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.