8 Mile Fire: estimated 450 acres, 20% contained
Location: Approximately 8 miles west of Sanderson, Texas

Fire behavior has remained active throughout the day. Single tree torching and spotting has been reported. Dozer crews are currently engaged and constructing containment lines. Aerial resources were successful in assisting with fire suppression and containment line construction. Ground resources remain on scene to contain the fire.

NORTH COMPLEX POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT REPORT RELEASED

The Forest Service, Plumas National Forest completed its post-fire assessment for emergency stabilization measures and actions on National Forest System (NFS) lands burned by the North Complex fires. The emergency treatments and activities are designed to decrease possible impacts to critical values from the burned area such as: life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and cultural resources.

For additional information about the Forest Service BAER Program, see BAER Briefs that have been posted to this InciWeb page under the "News" tab.  The BAER assessment report is linked below as “Related Information” as a PDF document called “North Complex BAER Assessment Report_PUBLIC”.

For private lands that may be impacted off federal lands, the North Complex BAER assessment Phase 2 report is shared and coordinated with other federal, state and local agencies and cooperators who can assist affected business, home and landowners prepare for rain events, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

NRCS and local sponsors prepare damage survey reports for eligible private lands adjacent to and downstream from affected burned areas.  NRCS uses these reports, along with the Forest Service BAER team’s assessment report, to develop emergency measures to reduce the impacts from potential increased water and debris flows, and assist local sponsors to implement recommended emergency measures through its Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program: (www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1045263.pdf).

Additional information is available from NRCS offices which explains the eligibility requirements for the EWP program and at the “NRCS EWP Information Brochure” Related Information link below.

SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: https://www.weather.gov/sto/.

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020   Size: 318,935 acres   Containment: 100%   Total Personnel: 0          

Engines:0   Hand crews: 0   Dozers:  0   Helicopters: 0   Water Tenders: 0 

Fatalities: 16   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,455

On December 3, 2020 Plumas National Forest officials announced that the North Complex Fire is 100% contained.  The fires within the North Complex began by lightning on August 17, 2020 and burned 318,935 acres.

The fire closure remains in effect until conditions improve. The closure area follows (generally) the actual fire perimeter and affects all national forest land, roads, trails and campgrounds within the fire closure area.  County roads and private land within the perimeter are not affected by the federal land closure. For more information about the closure, please check the forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices 

Within the closure area, falling trees (often falling without warning), smoldering stump holes, are some of the public safety hazards that exist within the fire perimeter. Longer term hazards include landslides and flash flooding caused by erosion or suppression activities not yet repaired. These hazards may lead to serious injury or death. Fire suppression repair will continue as conditions allow, mitigating these threats to public safety and resource values.

We thank everyone in the local communities and beyond for their past and continued support of the firefighters working on this incident.  https://www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020   Size: 318,935 acres   Containment: 96%   Total Personnel: 129        

Engines:1   Hand crews: 2   Dozers:  2   Helicopters: 0   Water Tenders: 3 

Fatalities: 16   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,455

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020  Size: 318,935 acres  Containment: 96%  Total Personnel: 326           

Engines: 11  Handcrews: 3  Dozers: 9  Helicopters: 2  Water Tenders: 19 

Fatalities: 15  Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2455

QUINCY, Calif. — Work on suppression repair continues on the 318,935 acre North Complex Fire.  There were 372.1 miles of dozer line built in the process of containing this fire; 48% has been repaired.  Out of the 52.8 miles of handline put in for this fire, 64% has now been repaired.  There were 147 miles of road damage incurred in this fire and half of that has now been repaired.  Management of the incident is transitioning today from the Type 2 team to a local Type 3 team; fire camp will remain at the Incident Command Post and the Type 3 team will finish the work.  A Burned Area Emergency Response team has been working on a plan to minimize future damage that may occur as winter – and future precipitation – arrives.  For now, weather conditions will continue on a warming and drying trend, with Sunday expected to be the warmest day.

CIIMT11 is transitioning today to a local Type 3 team. Updates are planned weekly or more often if needed. Please note that the fire information phone number has shifted to the Mt. Hough and Feather River Ranger District offices.

We thank everyone in the local communities and beyond for their past and continued support of the firefighters working on this incident.

The Plumas National Forest has a necessary closure in place for the fire area; for details, please check https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices Only part of the Plumas National Forest is closed due fire-related safety risks. Most of the Forest is open for recreation. In the affected areas, Forest Service roads and campgrounds are closed. Falling trees, smoldering stump holes and moving heavy equipment are some of the public safety hazards on closed public lands. Longer term hazards include landslides and flash flooding caused by erosion or suppression activities not yet repaired in the closure area can lead to serious injury or death without warning. Law enforcement is patrolling the area. Please use caution as fire personnel continue working in the area. Drive carefully and watch for fire equipment. Watch your speed and also be aware of the logging trucks around La Porte Road. Thank you.

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020  Size: 318,930 acres  Containment: 96%  Total Personnel: 334    
Engines: 12  Handcrews: 5  Dozers: 10  Helicopters: 2  Water Tenders: 20  
Fatalities: 15  Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2455

QUINCY, Calif. — A Red Flag Warning for extreme fire conditions remains in effect until 5pm today. During this frisky wind event, the North Complex fire is holding at 96% containment in the north-central Sierra Nevada. Winds Tuesday are not expected to break fire containment lines and should subside as the day goes on. Vegetation in the fire area remains very dry. To prevent a new fires, firefighters ask people to please use caution and avoid activities that may cause sparks, flame or heat. There is no precipitation in the foreseeable forecast.

Firefighters continue to monitor for flare-ups seen within the interior of the burn. Resource Advisors are teamed with firefighters to identify wildlife habitat and cultural resources, and also to mitigate hazards during repair of suppression impacts to the land. Suppression repair work is focused along the southeastern border of the fire line.

The Plumas National Forest has a necessary closure in place for the fire area; for details, please check https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices Only part of the Plumas National Forest is closed due fire-related safety risks. Most of the Forest is open for recreation. In the affected areas, Forest Service roads and campgrounds are closed. Falling trees, smoldering stump holes and moving heavy equipment are some of the public safety hazards on closed public lands. Longer term hazards include landslides and flash flooding caused by erosion or suppression activities not yet repaired in the closure area can lead to serious injury or death without warning. Law enforcement is patrolling the area. Please use caution as fire personnel continue working in the area. Drive carefully and watch for fire equipment. Watch your speed and also be aware of the logging trucks around La Porte Road. Thank you.

CIIMT11 is preparing for a transition on October 29 to a Type 3 team. Starting today, updates are planned twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday, unless fire behavior demands sooner.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 11 is implementing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both the fire area and surrounding communities.

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020                 Size: 318,930 acres      Containment: 96%         

Engines: 13     Handcrews: 6     Dozers: 11    Helicopters: 2   Water Tenders: 19   Total Personnel: 399

Fatalities: 15   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,455

Current Conditions: Suppression repair continues in the North Complex Fire area as firefighters work to restore damage the forest sustained during suppression efforts. Containment continues to hold at 96% and firefighters continue to monitor for smokes and flare-ups that have been reported within the interior perimeter of the burn. USFS Resource Advisors (READs) are working with firefighters to ensure that sensitive habitats, cultural resources and potential hazards are handled with care during suppression repair. The focus of today’s suppression repair work will be in the southeastern border of the fire line.

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020       Size: 318,930 acres      Containment: 96% 

Engines: 13     Handcrews: 6     Dozers: 11    Helicopters: 2   Water Tenders: 19   Total Personnel: 399 

Fatalities: 15  Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,455 

Current Conditions: Suppression repair continues in the North Complex Fire area as firefighters work to restore damage the forest sustained during suppression efforts. Containment continues to hold at 96% and firefighters continue to monitor for smokes and flare-ups that have been reported within the interior perimeter of the burn. USFS Resource Advisors (READs) are working with firefighters to ensure that sensitive habitats, cultural resources and potential hazards are handled with care during suppression repair. The focus of today’s suppression repair work will be in the southeastern boarder of the fire line.  

The Red Flag warning is still in effect through Tuesday at 1PM. Today’s winds are not expected to cause any additional challenges to fire containment lines and are expected to gradually subside over the course of the day. Fuels in the fire area will be very dry and firefighters advise residents to use caution and avoid activities that may cause the production of sparks in an effort to prevent a new fire start. 

Only a portion of the Plumas National Forest is closed due to the fire. Four fifths of the Forest is open for recreation. In the areas of Forest closures, Forest Service roads and campgrounds are closed.  Burned trees, smoldering stump holes, heavy equipment being moved around the fire area are some of the immediate public safety issues in the closed burn area.  Longer term hazards include landslides and flash flooding caused by erosion or suppression activities not yet repaired in the closure area can lead to serious injury or death without warning.   Law enforcement will be patrolling the area. Please use caution as fire personnel continue working in the area. Drive carefully and watch for fire equipment. Watch your speed and also be aware of the logging trucks around La Porte Road. 

Plumas National Forest Closure: 

There is a Plumas National Forest closure in effect for the fire perimeter and surrounding areas; please check https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices  

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020                 Size: 318,930 acres      Containment: 96%         

Engines: 13     Handcrews: 6     Dozers: 12    Helicopters: 2   Water Tenders: 19   Total Personnel: 399

Fatalities: 15   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,455

Current Conditions: The containment on the North Complex Fire is now 96% and suppression repair progress continues.  The repair priorities are infrastructure, natural resources and watershed areas.  Resource Advisors (READs) are embedded with the operations group so that sensitive habitats, cultural resources and hazards such as buried cables are avoided.  Many of the fire lines built on the west side of the fire perimeter have now been repaired.  Repairs are close to completion on the north and east side of Buck’s Lake.  Some of the heavy equipment – dozers, masticators, excavators and skidders is being moved to the northeast perimeter of the fire to work on priorities in these areas.

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020                 Size: 318,930 acres      Containment: 95%         

Engines: 15     Handcrews: 8     Dozers: 12    Helicopters: 2   Water Tenders: 20   
Total Personnel: 470

Fatalities: 15   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,455

Current Conditions: Suppression repair continues in the North Complex Fire area.  Firefighters are working to complete suppression repair in the Penstocks area so that PGE can get in and begin repairs to electrical infrastructure.  Work continues near Buck’s Lake.  There was a flare-up well interior of the fire perimeter but it did not threaten the fire-line.  Additional internal smokes were reported on the northeast side all well within the fire perimeter.  Red Flag conditions will continue to promote fire spread within the interior pockets of available fuel.  Needle cast and areas of low severity burn continue to burn. Patrolling, monitoring and mop up continues south of Little Grass Valley.