Fire The Incident Meteorologist is predicting continued warming temperatures and falling humidity levels as the high pressure builds back over the region this week. Winds are expected to be from the NE through the week, with higher winds likely occurring overnight and into the early morning each day. The Fire Behavior Analyst expects fire activity to increase in sheltered areas and pockets of heavy fuels, and will become more susceptible to burning and smoldering as the week progresses. Currently there are several hot sport scattered throughout the fire area. Depending on the location within the fire footprint, there will be a combination of surface fire in unburned fuels, smoldering, and the occasional group torching as fuels continue to dry.

Smoke Air quality registered Good for all communities within the Outlook Area for most of the day yesterday. Quincy bounced into Moderate mid-afternoon, but quickly recovered by late afternoon. Challenge bounced between Good and Moderate all day, once hitting USG for about an hour. All communities within the Outlook Area are registering Good air quality this morning. Unless there’s more fire activity than there was yesterday, expect air quality to remain Good throughout the day. As smoke drifts down canyon in the evening hours, Oroville and Challenge may see Moderate air quality overnight and in the morning hours.

Health and Safety Air quality changes throughout the day. Use common sense. If you smell smoke, you're breathing smoke. Take precautions as described below, especially you are sensitive.


 Smoke and COVID https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lfc1I_PMZFAWZack2cqtUlBmBXLpve0Q/view  
 
 
 
 

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020                 Size: 318,930 acres      Containment: 94%         

Engines: 62     Handcrews: 28     Dozers: 40    Helicopters: 4    Water Tenders: 57   Total Personnel: 1,150

Fatalities: 15   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,455

 

Current Conditions: Crews continue to mop up and patrol areas south of Bucks Lake, the penstocks at Bucks Creek Powerhouse and monitoring the 70 corridor and the McGee Ridge areas. Last night air operations flew infrared imagery (IR) over the fire. Some areas of heat were observed in the fire’s interior and will be monitored.

  Suppression repair is the major focus now, including erosion control and recovery of water hoses, pumps and water storage containers. Erosion control involves surface stabilization of exposed soils and berm repair. Crews knock down berms created by bulldozers during fire suppression, smoothing them out and then add drainage to direct water runoff during rain events. Miles of fire hose are being hauled and taken back to the Incident Command Post. Here, the California Conservation Crews sort through these mountains of hose and refurbish them back into compact rounds. The fire hose will be returned to the forest and Regional caches in Redding and San Bernardino to be used for future fire incidents.  

Forest closures remain in effect and hazardous conditions still exist. The public is asked to stay out of forest closure areas, as interference with fire suppression could delay firefighting efforts.  Law enforcement will be patrolling the area. As residents return home following the lifting of evacuation orders, please use caution as fire personnel are still working in the area. Drive carefully and watch for fire equipment. Watch your speed and also be aware of logging trucks around La Porte Road.  

  Operational briefing’s will be reduced to every other day and the video posted to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas Team Planning meetings (daily at 7 p.m.) and Cooperator Meetings (Mon-Wed-Fri at 10 a.m.) will be available to watch via Zoom (https://usfs.zoomgov.com/j/1602646317). Evacuations and Road Closures Butte County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all evacuation orders, warnings and road closures though Highway 70 north of Pulga is under traffic control only using one lane. Highway 70 is open for traffic in both directions. Plumas County Sheriff’s Office has evacuation orders and warnings issued covering the Highway 70 corridor and surrounding area. Please check their websites and Facebook pages for the latest updates. You can also sign up with your county for reverse 911 notifications by registering with the CODE RED system.   Smoke Outlook: fires.airfire.org/outlooks/EasternSierra or www.airnow.gov/
Plumas National Forest closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 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: 92% 

Engines: 67     Handcrews: 28     Dozers: 40    Helicopters: 5    Water Tenders: 57   Total Personnel: 1,211 

Fatalities: 15       Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,455 

 

Current Conditions: Last night, crews continued mop up and patrol. The cold front that passed through brought a light mist to the fire area increasing relative humidity. This has raised fuel moistures, resulting in reduced fire surface spread in unburned areas within the interior of the fire. Last night was the last night shift and firefighters will focus resources to day time efforts.  

Today, crews will concentrate on suppression repair, including erosion control and recovery of miles of water hoses, pumps and water storage containers. Suppression teams will focus on contingency lines in the north and interior suppression repair areas in the south.   

As residents return home following the lifting of evacuation orders, please use caution as fire personnel are still working in the area. Drive carefully and watch for fire equipment. Watch your speed and also be aware of logging trucks around La Porte Road. 

 

Forest closures remain in effect and hazardous conditions still exist. The public is asked to stay out of forest closure areas, as interference with fire suppression could delay firefighting efforts.  Law enforcement will be patrolling the area.   

To view yesterdays Evening Operations Section Briefing, visit the National Forest Facebook page.  www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas 

There will be one operational briefing video posted daily to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page.  Team Planning meetings (daily at 7 p.m.) and Cooperator Meetings (Mon-Wed-Fri at 10 a.m.) will be available to watch via Zoom (https://usfs.zoomgov.com/j/1602646317). 

Evacuations and Road Closures 

Butte County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all evacuation orders, warnings and road closures though Highway 70 north of Pulga is under traffic control only using one lane.. Highway 70 is open for traffic in both directions. Plumas County Sheriff’s Office has evacuation orders and warnings issued covering the Highway 70 corridor and surrounding area. Please check their websites and Facebook pages for the latest updates. You can also sign up with your county for reverse 911 notifications by registering with the CODE RED system. 

 

Smoke Outlook: fires.airfire.org/outlooks/EasternSierra or www.airnow.gov/ 
Plumas National Forest closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices  
 

California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is implementing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both the fire area and surrounding communities. 

Fire

The fire remains at 318,930 acres and is 92% contained. The Incident Meteorologist predicts slightly warmer temperatures, light northeast winds and lower relative humidity today. These conditions will favor fuel conditions returning to record lows. The Fire Behavior Analyst predicts there may be some surface fire and isolated torching in heavy pockets of fuel. Other areas of light unburned fuels may exhibit a mix of active burning and smoldering, especially as humidity rises and winds remain low.

Smoke

Air quality was Good for all communities within the Outlook Area yesterday afternoon as gusty winds moved smoke out of the area. This morning, air quality is still measuring Good with the exception of Portola, which is measuring Moderate. Challenge was measuring Moderate briefly this morning but has since dropped back to Good. Depending on how the fire behaves today, with predicted northeast winds, most communities should continue to see Good air quality, with the exception of Portola and Oroville. These communities tend to be where smoke accumulates.

Health and Safety

Air quality changes throughout the day. Use common sense. If you smell smoke, you're breathing smoke. Take precautions as described below, especially you are sensitive.

 

Fire
 

The fire remains at 318,930 acres and is 91% contained. The Incident Meteorologist predicts higher humidity and lower temperatures across the fire area in response to the incoming low pressure system. Although fire behavior will be reduced, isolated pockets of unburned fuels within the fire perimeter will continue to burn. Some fuels are more likely to molder than actively burn, and in turn will produce more smoke.
 

Smoke 
 

Air quality will fluctuate across the Outlook Area due to variable near surface winds which are expected to be light for the most part this weekend. Air quality this morning is Good or low-Moderate in most locations across the Outlook Area. Transport winds are expected to be primarily from the south/southwest today, and smoke should be clearing by mid-morning. Air quality should improve to Good for the rest of the day. Air quality in Oroville, Quincy and Portola will likely hover in the lower to mid-Moderate range similar to what has been observed over the last several days. Sunday, transport winds are predicted to be light and variable. Smoke may not disperse as well, likely keeping air quality in low-Moderate across the outlook area, with potential to improve to Good. Air quality in Oroville, Quincy and Portola will continue to hover in the lower to mid-Moderate range. Air quality Monday is expected to be similar to Sunday.
 

Health and Safety 
 

Air quality changes throughout the day. Use common sense. If it looks or smells smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn or go for a run. And it's probably not a good time for children to play outdoors.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lfc1I_PMZFAWZack2cqtUlBmBXLpve0Q/view

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020       Size: 318,930 acres      Containment: 91% 

Engines: 68     Handcrews: 27     Dozers: 39    Helicopters: 9    Water Tenders: 58   Total Personnel: 1,370 

Fatalities: 15Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,471 

 

Current Conditions: 

 

Yesterday, the Plumas County Sheriff ‘s Office lifted all mandatory and advisory orders that were currently in place.  Residents may return home, however please be aware that fire personnel are still working in the area. Drive carefully and watch for fire equipment.  Forest closures remain in effect and hazardous conditions still exist. The public is asked to stay out of forest closure areas, as interference with fire suppression could delay firefighting efforts.  Law enforcement will be patrolling the area.  

 

Minimal fire activity continues, with green islands of vegetation burning within the interior. Crews will continue with mop up and back haul of hose lays.  Tonight, will be the last shift for night crews as firefighters turn their focus to daytime suppression repair activities.  

The cold front passing through will bring scattered showers and winds gusting up to 30 mph, creating hazards for firefighters, as snags and tree branches may fall.  

To view yesterdays Evening Operations Section Briefing, visit the National Forest Facebook page.  www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas 

There will be one operational briefing video posted daily to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page.  Team Planning meetings (daily at 7 p.m.) and Cooperator Meetings (Mon-Wed-Fri at 10 a.m.) will be available to watch via Zoom (https://usfs.zoomgov.com/j/1602646317). 

Evacuations and Road Closures 

Butte County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all evacuation orders, warnings and road closures though Highway 70 north of Pulga is under traffic control only using one lane.. Highway 70 is open for traffic in both directions. Plumas County Sheriff’s Office has evacuation orders and warnings issued covering the Highway 70 corridor and surrounding area. Please check their websites and Facebook pages for the latest updates. You can also sign up with your county for reverse 911 notifications by registering with the CODE RED system. 

 

Smoke Outlook: fires.airfire.org/outlooks/EasternSierra or www.airnow.gov/ 
Plumas National Forest closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices  
 

California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 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: 90%    

Engines: 63     Handcrews: 26     Dozers: 38    Helicopters: 13    Water Tenders: 63   Total Personnel: 1,302

Fatalities: 15   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,471

Last night, crews continued mop up and patrol of the fire perimeter. The fire remains within its containment lines and east of Highway 70.

Due to the great work of the fire fighters, fire behavior has been reduced, however islands of active fire within the fire perimeter will continue to burn, including surface fuels and isolated torching. Today, crews will continue with mop up, patrol and extinguishing pockets of fire within the fire perimeter. They will also be evaluating the needs and prioritizing areas for suppression repair.

CAL Trans opened highway 70 for traffic in both directions. Please continue to use caution as firefighters and equipment will continue to be working in the area.

To view yesterdays Evening Operations Section Briefing, visit the National Forest Facebook page.  www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas

There will be one operational briefing video posted daily to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page.  Team Planning meetings (daily at 7 p.m.) and Cooperator Meetings (Mon-Wed-Fri at 10 a.m.) will be available to watch via Zoom (https://usfs.zoomgov.com/j/1602646317). Evacuations and Road Closures Butte County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all evacuation orders, warnings and road closures though Highway 70 north of Pulga is under traffic control only using one lane.. Highway 70 is open for traffic in both directions. Plumas County Sheriff’s Office has evacuation orders and warnings issued covering the Highway 70 corridor and surrounding area. Please check their websites and Facebook pages for the latest updates. You can also sign up with your county for reverse 911 notifications by registering with the CODE RED system.   Smoke Outlook: fires.airfire.org/outlooks/EasternSierra or www.airnow.gov/
Plumas National Forest closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

 

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020                      Size: 318,930 acres      Containment: 88%    

Engines: 60     Handcrews: 26     Dozers: 38    Helicopters: 13    Water Tenders: 62   Total Personnel: 1,323

Fatalities: 15   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,471

Last night, crews continued mop up and patrolling the fire perimeter. The fire remained within its containment lines and east of Highway 70.

Today, firefighters will continue reinforcing mopping up and containment lines, while improving the contingency lines along the north and northwest side of State Route 70, Mill Creek towards the Pacific Crest Trail as well as the Bald Eagle Ridge system.

Although fire behavior has been reduced, due to the great work of the fire fighters, areas of active burning within the fire perimeter will continue to burn. Aggressive runs through red fir stringers and slope driven runs to tops of ridges are possible.  Dry fuels and winds pose a threat for spotting across the uncontained line. Crews will concentrate on mopping up heat signatures in these areas.

Gusty south to southwest winds up to 22 mph are expected over the next few days ahead of a developing Pacific storm system approaching the West Coast this weekend. These winds will test the fire lines. 

Highway 70 remains open to one-way traffic control with a pilot car between Rock Crest and Rock Creek. However, the road can return to a full closure at any time due to fire activity.  Refer to the Cal Trans website for the latest status.

PG&E has restored power yesterday to the Bucks Lake and Haskins areas, Check the PG&E website for latest conditions.

To view yesterdays virtual community meeting, visit the National Forest Facebook page.  www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas

There will be one operational briefing video posted daily to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page.  Team Planning meetings (daily at 7 p.m.) and Cooperator Meetings (Mon-Wed-Fri at 10 a.m.) will be available to watch via Zoom (https://usfs.zoomgov.com/j/1602646317). Evacuations and Road Closures Butte County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all evacuation orders, warnings and road closures though Highway 70 north of Pulga is under traffic control only using one lane. Plumas County Sheriff’s Office has evacuation orders and warnings issued covering the Highway 70 corridor and surrounding area. Please check their websites and Facebook pages for the latest updates. You can also sign up with your county for reverse 911 notifications by registering with the CODE RED system.   Smoke Outlook: fires.airfire.org/outlooks/EasternSierra or www.airnow.gov/
Plumas National Forest closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is implementing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both the fire area and surrounding communities.

Fire

The fire is 318,930 acres and 88% contained. It remains within containment lines and east of Highway 70. Firefighters will continue to mop up and patrol, increasing the depth of the containment lines.

Smoke

The North Complex fire has had several quiet days, but smoke from other fires continues to filter into the area. Most locations are still seeing haze and fluctuating throughout the day between periods of moderate and good air quality. Although the chance for significant rain is decreasing, it looks like the cold front forecast for this weekend will bring enough fresh, clean air to scour valleys on both sides of the Sierra. This may bring a few full days of green/good conditions. A high pressure system will build following the front, meaning smoke and haze may return next week.

Health and Safety

airnow.gov: The Air Quality Index tells you how clean or polluted your outdoor air is, along with associated health effects that may be of concern. The AQI translates air quality data into numbers and colors that help people understand when to take action to protect their health.

Smoke and Covid -https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lfc1I_PMZFAWZack2cqtUlBmBXLpve0Q/view