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: 27,962 combined (Claremont 21,244; Bear 6,583) Contained: Claremont 59%; Bear 0%

Resources: 15 dozers, 82 engines, 11 hand crews, 7 helicopters, 11 water tenders, 10 other heavy equipment and 685 total personnel. These resources are shared with the North Complex.

This will be the final individual morning update for the Bear and Claremont fires. Future updates will be contained in the North Complex releases.

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the community. Find out where: https://arcg.is/18vnSe.

Current Situation on the Bear: The Bear Fire showed significant activity yesterday afternoon and late into the evening as winds and conditions aligned to help it spread east across Deadman Spring Trail and west along the Middle Fork of the Feather River toward Hartman Bar Trail. Firefighters still are working on indirect line northwest of the fire to protect the Haskins Valley and Buck Lake areas while looking for opportunities to build line directly against the fire’s edge. Residents on the north and western sides of the Bear Fire are likely to see increased traffic as more resources are being prioritized to that area.

Current Situation on the Claremont: The south and southeast edges of the Claremont Fire remained active yesterday and continue to be the top priority on the fire today. Along the Highway 70 corridor, firefighters are implementing strategic firing operations where safe to do so to bring the fire down to the road and build a secure perimeter to protect the communities of Greenhorn, Sloat and other values to the east.

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

· 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: Evacuation advisory for Quincy LaPorte Road from Quincy LaPorte Road & Highway 70 to Massack has been 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 have been 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 a 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. The hot, dry conditions will contribute to continued 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 camp and the surrounding communities.

Acres: 27,962 combined (Claremont 22,244; Bear 6,583) Contained: Claremont 50%; Bear 0%

Resources: 15 dozers, 82 engines, 11 hand crews, 7 helicopters, 11 water tenders, 10 other heavy equipment and 685 total personnel. These resources are shared with the North Complex.

This will be the final individual evening update for the Bear and Claremont fires. Future updates will be contained in the North Complex releases.

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the community. Find out where: https://arcg.is/18vnSe.

Current Situation on the Bear: Activity on the Bear Fire picked up this afternoon and the fire pushed east across Deadman Spring Trail. Crews continued to build indirect line north of the fire to protect Meadow Valley, Quincy and Tollgate but also are looking for opportunities to go direct and minimize the footprint of the fire. Firefighters also are looking to utilize the extensive road system to the west as holding lines and prevent spread toward Haskins Valley and Buck Lake. Residents in those areas might see increased traffic as more resources are being sent to the Bear Fire.

Current Situation on the Claremont: Firefighters on the Claremont Fire worked to contain a slopover (fire outside of the intended line) along the fire’s southeast perimeter. Air resources, ground crews and heavy equipment continue to work to contain it into the evening hours. Fire activity and increased smoke was visible from Quincy and communities west. Crews are nearing completion on dozer line along the western edge of the Claremont Fire and have hose lays in place near Claremont Trail, but the priority sections remain to the east.

Closures/Evacuation: New for Plumas County – The following areas have been 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: Evacuation advisory for Quincy LaPorte Road from Quincy LaPorte Road & Highway 70 to Massack has been 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

  New for Lassen County – The following Evacuation Orders have been 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: Conditions are predicted to remain sunny, warm and dry. Winds will return to the normal west-southwest flow but generally light.

Air Quality: East winds helped move smoke to the west and south. But smoke from the North Complex might return to the region again this evening as winds settle. Impacts are again seen closest to the fire. Quincy and Susanville continue to be hardest hit.

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

UPDATED PRESS RELEASE 8/28/2020 9:30AM
 
SHEEP (NORTH COMPLEX) FIRE EVACUATION WARNING LIFTED FOR SOME AREAS
 
Effective Friday, August 28th at 10am, the following Evacuation Warnings are lifted:
• Highway 36 from Harris Drive west to Devil’s Corral and all road accessed by Highway 36.
• County Road A-1 to Lake Forest Estates and all roads accessed by A-1 to that point.

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.

The following Mandatory Evacuation Orders are in effect for the following areas:
• Baxter Creek Road.
• Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave.
• Cheney Creek Road and all roads accessed by Cheney Creek Road.

The following Evacuation Warnings are in effect for the following areas:
• Gem Drive, Pearl Circle, and all roads accessed by those roads.
• Richmond Road and all roads accessed by Richmond Road from Hwy 395 to Pearl Circle. but NOT Cheney Creek Road, Baxter Creek Road, or the closed portion of Wingfield Road which are still under Mandatory Evacuation Order.
• Wingfield Road from Richmond Road to Peter Lassen’s Grave.
• 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.
• Bass Hill Road.
• Wingfield Road East from Bass Hill Road to Wingfield Road East including Elysian Valley Road, Indians Road and all connecting roads but NOT Baxter Creek Road.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.

For questions about whether your address is under mandatory, warning, or lifted status, please call (530)316-4487. Dispatch has been flooded with calls that can better be answered by someone who isn't also trying to answer emergency calls. People under order need to leave immediately. People under warning need to prepare to leave soon. Please use caution, drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel. Residents needing assistance evacuating are asked to call the dispatch center at (530)257-6121. If you need shelter, go to the Lassen Community College Dormitories. Large animals can be housed at the Lassen County Fairgrounds. Go to the Fair office on Russell Drive first before 5pm. After 5pm, call the Emergency Shelter Line at (530)250-9088. Liability, feed, and care of large animals is the sole responsibility of the animal’s owner. Deputies will be going door to door to make notification.

EVACUATION AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION

MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERS remain in effect for the following areas:

• QUINCY LAPORTE ROAD from Thompson Creek south to Red Bridge (Middle Fork of the Feather River.

• Highway 70: From Massack Rest Area to Spring Garden

• COMMUNITY OF SPRING GARDEN

• COMMUNITY OF GREENHORN RANCH

  EVACUATION ADVISORIES ARE IN EFFECT for the following areas:

• COMMUNITY OF SLOAT

• COMMUNITY OF CROMBERG

• Bucks Lake: Big Creek Road from the Mount Ararat Road to Bucklin Road (to include Countryman

  Drive and Grizzly Loop) and Bucks Lake Road south of the Old Transfer Station Rd (Timberline Lodge)

  extending to the area of the On Top Mine to include the Bucks Highlands area.

• Quincy LaPorte Road from Highway 70 south to Thompson Creek.

• MODIFIED: Quincy LaPorte Road from Quincy LaPorte Road & Highway 70 to Massack.

  o Highway 70 at Chandler Road, east to the west side of the Massack Rest Area.
  
  ROAD CLOSURES AND INFORMATION

• Quincy LaPorte Road from Hwy 70 to Thompson Creek is open to RESIDENTS ONLY

• Quincy LaPorte Road from Thompson Creek to Red Bridge is CLOSED

• Peppard Flat Road (The dirt portion) is CLOSED

  NOTABLE CHANGES The below areas are being REMOVED from ADVISORY STATUS

• NEW EAST QUINCY, south of Lee Road from Radio Hill Road east.
  o 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.

• NEW Chandler Road (east end), from Highway 70 east to Carol Lane East. SHELTER INFORMATION

  None at this time; however, if you need assistance contact Plumas Co. Social Services at 283-6350

  If you need assistance with animals contact Plumas County Animal Services at 283-3673. Large animals/livestock can also be accommodated.

THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME

 See related file for today's SMOKE OUTLOOK

Acres: 27,962 combined (Claremont 22,244; Bear 6,578) Contained: Claremont 46%; Bear 0%

Resources: 15 dozers, 80 engines, 11 hand crews, 7 helicopters, 10 water tenders, 6 other heavy equipment and 642 total personnel. These resources are shared with the North Complex.

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the community. Find out where: https://arcg.is/18vnSe.

Current Situation on the Bear: As other fires in the North Complex increase in containment, focus on the Bear Fire will ramp up and additional resources are being assigned to that fire. Priority has shifted to completing firelines to keep the fire out of the Willow Creek drainage and protect the Haskins Valley and Bucks Lake areas. Dozer lines have been completed across the north of the fire to prevent any push toward Meadow Valley, Quincy and Tollgate.

Current Situation on the Claremont: Crews are nearing completion on dozer line along the western edge of the Claremont Fire and have hose lays in place near Claremont Trail, but the priority sections remain to the east. Crews implemented strategic firing operations above Estray Creek to help close the gap between the fire and Highway 70. Yesterday’s wind shift tested lines near Nelson Lookout and 23N10 roads and caused spot fires that firefighters were able to pick up and get lines around. Securing these areas today remains a top priority.

Evacuations: Mandatory Evacuations are in place for the following locations according to the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office: Quincy Laporte Road from Thompson Creek south to Red Bridge (Middle fork of the Feather River.); Highway 70: From Massack to Spring Garden; Spring Garden Community; Greenhorn Ranch Community.

Evacuation Advisories are in effect for the following: Bucks Lake Big Creek Road from the Mount Ararat Road to Bucklin Road (to include Countryman Drive and Grizzly Loop) and Bucks Lake Road south of the Old Transfer Station Rd (Timberline Lodge) extending to the area of the On Top Mine to include the Bucks Highlands area; Quincy Laporte Road from Highway 70 south to Thompson Creek; Quincy Laporte Road from Highway to Massack; East Quincy, south of Lee Road from Radio Hill Road east. (to include East Quincy, south of Highway 70 between Mill Creek (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; Sloat Community; Cromberg Community.

Plumas County launched a Claremont Fire Evacuation Information website as an online resource to view the fire map, current evacuation zones, sign up for Code Red, follow links to USFS fire incidents pages, and find the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. http://mgo.ms/s/yokm6

The evacuation shelter in Quincy has been closed.

Road Closure: Highway 70 currently is open in both directions with a police escort from Quincy La Porte Road to Spring Garden. Quincy La Porte Road from Highway 70 to Thompson Creek Road is open to residents only. Quincy La Porte Road from Highway 70 to Red Bridge and Peppard Flat Road (dirt portion) remain closed. 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.

For immediate text notifications sign up for the Plumas County’s CodeRed Emergency Alert System on their website at https://www.plumascounty.us/2163/. 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: Generally east winds move in to the area today and will provide relief from the smoke for portions of the communities effected by the North Complex. There is a possibility of thunderstorms throughout the fire areas but the chance is minimal. As the temperature increases and humidity decreases throughout the day, fire behavior and smoke production will increase into the afternoon.

Air Quality: East winds are expected through the afternoon continuing to move smoke to the west and south. Smoke from the North Complex that settled over the area last night is forecast to dissipate this afternoon but might return to the region again this evening. Impacts are again seen closet to the fire. Quincy and Susanville continue to be hardest hit. The Reno/Tahoe area can continue to expect decreased levels of air quality as smoke lingers in the area.

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

AUGUST 27, 2020 8 pm

Claremont and Bear – Evening Update   

Resources: 15 dozers, 80 engines, 11 hand crews, 7 helicopters, 10 water tenders, 6 other heavy equipment and 642 total personnel. These resources are shared with the North Complex.

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the community. Find out where: https://arcg.is/18vnSe.

Current Situation on the Claremont: Diligent work by firefighters produced greater containment on the Claremont Fire today and it sits at 47% and 20,697 acres. Crews faced a wind shift from previous days and the westerly flow posed containment issues on the far southeast corner of the fire where personnel picked up several spot fires in the area of Harrison Flat. Other sections of the fire, including north of Highway 70, remained in place and were in good condition as crews monitored, mopped up lingering heat sources and patrolled for any hot spots to protect the communities of Spring Garden and Greenhorn.

Current Situation on the Bear: Good progress was made across the northern section of the Bear Fire where crews neared completion on a dozer line running east to west utilizing forest roads to prevent the fire from progressing toward Quincy. Crews also are working to build indirect line to the west. The fire is actively burning in an area with little to no fire history – north of the Middle Fork of the Feather River, a mile northwest of Butte Bar Campground and 1.5 miles southeast of Lookout Rock.

Evacuations: Mandatory Evacuations are in place for the following locations according to the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office: Quincy Laporte Road from Thompson Creek south to Red Bridge (Middle fork of the Feather River.); Highway 70: From Massack to Spring Garden; Spring Garden Community; Greenhorn Ranch Community.

Evacuation Advisories are in effect for the following: Bucks Lake Big Creek Road from the Mount Ararat Road to Bucklin Road (to include Countryman Drive and Grizzly Loop) and Bucks Lake Road south of the Old Transfer Station Rd (Timberline Lodge) extending to the area of the On Top Mine to include the Bucks Highlands area; Quincy Laporte Road from Highway 70 south to Thompson Creek; Quincy Laporte Road from Highway to Massack; East Quincy, south of Lee Road from Radio Hill Road east. (to include East Quincy, south of Highway 70 between Mill Creek (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; Sloat Community; Cromberg Community.

Plumas County launched a Claremont Fire Evacuation Information website as an online resource to view the fire map, current evacuation zones, sign up for Code Red, follow links to USFS fire incidents pages, and find the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. http://mgo.ms/s/yokm6

The evacuation shelter in Quincy has been closed.

Road Closure: Highway 70 currently is open in both directions with a police escort from Quincy La Porte Road to Spring Garden. Quincy La Porte Road from Highway 70 to Thompson Creek Road is open to residents only. Quincy La Porte Road from Highway 70 to Red Bridge and Peppard Flat Road (dirt portion) remain closed. 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.

For immediate text notifications sign up for the Plumas County’s CodeRed Emergency Alert System on their website at https://www.plumascounty.us/2163/.

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: Hotter and drier conditions and a wind shift brought increased fire activity over much of the fire area. Tomorrow, there is a chance for scattered thunderstorms, increased winds, and erratic fire behavior.

Air Quality: Quincy and Susanville can expect continued higher levels of smoke while other areas near the North Complex should see moderate and “unhealthy for sensitive groups” levels of smoke. Widespread haze continues to linger but improved mixing heights should help dissipate some of the smoke.

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

 See related file for today's SMOKE OUTLOOK