Current Situation

North Zone:

West Zone: See CAL FIRE Team 4 updates at: www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/north-complex-fire/

Smoke outlook: fires.airfire.org/outlooks/EasternSierra or www.airnow.gov/

Plumas National Forest closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

Current Situation

South Zone:

Crews reported few issues last night as all containment lines held. Today, firefighters will continue preparing for the upcoming weather change by reinforcing containment lines, in addition to patrolling for spot fires. Crews successfully eliminated a large unburned “island” of fuel, thereby reducing a source for spot fires which reduces the chance for further spot fires across the fireline.

North Zone:

There were no spot fires reported last night, and all containment lines held. Crews will continue to monitor the area between Grizzly Forebay and Highlands for spot fires, and look to reinforce containment lines where they can.

There will be a Red Flag Warning from 9 pm Saturday to 2 pm Monday. This will bring a change in winds that will test the recently completed containment lines. Islands of unburned fuels continue to catch fire, which can throw embers across containment lines creating spot fires. Crews will continue patrolling these areas for spot fires.

Firefighters are finding members of the public inside the fire closure area. The public is being asked to respect the closures and stay out of the area for public and for firefighter safety.

For more information there is a daily recorded operational briefing video that will be posted to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page at 9 a.m.

West Zone: See CAL FIRE Team 4 updates at: www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/north-complex-fire/

Evacuations and Road Closures

Orders and Advisories are still in place for communities in Butte, Plumas, and Yuba Counties. Changes were made yesterday to orders pertaining to Butte County. Please check your respective county’s websites and Facebook pages for the latest updates on evacuations and road closures. 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

Special Statement

Current Situation

South Zone:

Crews today patrolled containment lines around Quartz Hill and Onion Valley looking for areas of heat and ensuring that the line held. Firefighters also continued to look for opportunities to reinforce containment lines and monitor for any spot fires. All other containment lines within the zone held.

North Zone:

While firing operations along containment lines were completed yesterday morning, crews are still fighting spot fires. Resources have suppressed all spot fires and will continue to patrol the area between Grizzly Forebay and Highlands to contain any new ones they find.

There will be a Red Flag Warning from 9 pm Saturday to 12 pm Monday. This will bring a change in winds that will test the recently completed containment lines. Islands of unburned fuels continue to catch fire, which can throw embers across the lines creating spot fires.

Firefighters are finding members of the public inside the fire closure area. The public is being asked to respect the closures and stay out of the area for the public and for firefighter’s safety.

For more information there is a daily recorded operational briefing video that will be posted to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page at 9 a.m.

West Zone: See CAL FIRE Team 4 updates at: www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/north-complex-fire/

Evacuations and Road Closures

Orders and Advisories are still in place for communities in Butte, Plumas, and Yuba Counties. Changes were made yesterday to orders pertaining to Butte County. Please check your respective county’s websites and Facebook pages for the latest updates on evacuations and road closures. 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

FireWatch Cobra:

 From War Machine to Wildland Fire Management

Jon Perry

In 1969, during the Vietnam war, Bell Helicopter was busy building one of their iconic AH-1 Cobra helicopters to be used during the war effort. At that time, no one would have thought that in the year 2020, the very same helicopter would be used on a different front to battle wildfires in California and across the United States.  

During the late 90’s and early 2000’s, the State of Florida acquired surplus Cobra helicopters they utilized for water dropping missions combatting wildfires. Around the same time, a pilot with the United States Forest Service (USFS), Morgan Mills, learned of the iconic aircrafts’ use in Florida. A Cobra and Huey pilot in Vietnam, Mills approached the USFS FireWatch program managers and suggested looking into the Cobra as a platform that could meet their needs. After some deliberation with cooperators in Florida, the Forest Service was able to get one of their helicopters on loan for a summer of testing. The idea was that a helicopter could possibly be a “jack of all trades” and fill a specialized role of Aerial Supervision (normally delegated to fixed-wing assets), Helicopter Coordinator, as well as accomplish infrared (IR), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. After testing the platform for a season, it became obvious this aircraft would meet the needs of the FireWatch Program. The USFS acquired a number of the Cobra helicopters through federal granting programs, at which point the FireWatch Cobra program was born.

For complete article, CLICK HERE
 
For photos of the Cobra Helicopter, CLICK HERE and HERE

North Complex Fire Progression Animation

The National Interagency Fire Center has created an animated map showing the progression of the North Complex fire that began August 17, 2020.

The map shows progression up to September 24, 2020. The small spot at Watson Ridge is a previous fire from the Butte / Tehama / Glenn lightning complex. 

To view the animation go to: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ca653bfb634a4f46af21a3243238fa9d

Click on the clock in the left corner to begin the animation.

Current Situation

South Zone:

Crews last night patrolled containment lines around Quartz Hill and Onion Valley looking for areas of heat and ensuring that the line held. Today, firefighters will continue to look for opportunities to reinforce containment lines and monitor for any spot fires. All other containment lines within the zone held.

North Zone:

While firing operations along containment lines have been completed, crews are still fighting spot fires. One spot fire late yesterday was contained at almost 20 acres. Resources will continue to reinforce the containment line where possible and patrol for spot fires.

The weather forecast is calling for a change in wind direction and speed. This change in winds will test the recently completed containment lines as there are islands of unburned fuels continuing to catch fire and throw embers across the lines, creating spot fires. Firefighters will be focused on catching and containing these spot fires before they have the chance to become established. The public is asked to be mindful of firefighting traffic in the vicinity of the fire.

For more information there is a daily recorded operational briefing video that will be posted to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page at 9 a.m.

West Zone: See CAL FIRE Team 4 updates at: www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/north-complex-fire/

Evacuations and Road Closures

Orders and Advisories are still in place for communities in Butte, Plumas, and Yuba Counties. Changes were made yesterday to orders pertaining to Butte County. Please check your respective county’s websites and Facebook pages for the latest updates on evacuations and road closures. You can also sign up with your county for reverse 911 notifications by registering with the CODE RED system.

Weather and Air Quality

Today’s temperatures in the valleys will be 79-84 degrees, with temperatures in the higher elevations ranging from 65-70 degrees. Southwest winds around 5-10 mph with higher afternoon gusts up to 15-20 mph.

Fire

The North Complex Fire had no growth yesterday and is still at 304,492 acres in size with 78% containment. The fire had minimal activity in a few places yesterday, and crews continue to make progress increasing containment. Expect the same in fire activity today as yesterday.      

Smoke

Expect similar air quality as yesterday as the SW winds will remain in effect for the day. Smoke from the North Complex will continue to be transported towards Susanville which will lead to an increase in smoke impacts due to smoke settling in these areas. Expect a change in the smoke forecast tomorrow as the valley starts to heat up.      

Health & Safety

Remember that pets are also impacted by unhealthy air quality as well. Ensure they have plenty of fresh fluids and are moved to clean air when possible. Please see the link below for more details.

https://www3.epa.gov/airnow/smoke_fires/protect-your-pets-from-wildfire-smoke.pdf

Current Situation

South Zone:

Crews today continued to mop up containment line around Quartz Hill and Onion Valley with the help of a helicopter using heat detecting sensors to find hot spots. Resources tonight will concentrate in this same area to guard against any spot fires. The fire remained in its current footprint throughout the rest of the zone.

North Zone:

Resources completed firing operations in the vicinity south of Grizzly Forebay. While there is now containment line surrounding the North Zone of the fire, unburned islands of timber continue to catch fire and create spot fires. Night crews will continue patrolling and mop up operations.

Type 2 Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black took command of the fire at 6 a.m. this morning. Incident Commander Troy Hagan would like to thank California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 for the great work that has been done during their 21-day assignment.

For more information there is a daily recorded operational briefing video that will be posted to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page at 9 a.m.

West Zone: See CAL FIRE Team 4 updates at: www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/north-complex-fire/

Evacuations and Road Closures

Orders and Advisories are still in place for communities in Butte, Plumas, and Yuba Counties. Please check your respective county’s websites and Facebook pages for the latest updates on evacuations and road closures. You can also sign up with your county for reverse 911 notifications by registering with the CODE RED system.

Weather and Air Quality

Tonight’s temperatures in the valleys will be 36-42 degrees, with temperatures in the higher elevations ranging from 48-54 degrees. Southwest winds around 10 mph.

Fire

The North Complex Fire grew 3,088 acres and is now 304,492 acres at 78% containment. The fire was active in a several places yesterday and today expect similar fire activity as yesterday. Crews continue to increase containment.  

Smoke

Expect similar air quality as yesterday trending towards less smoke in the afternoon due to the increase in SW winds. Smoke from the North Complex will continue to be transported towards areas around Susanville which will lead to an increase in smoke impacts due to smoke settling in this area. Expect different conditions tomorrow as an incoming front passes through late tonight.

Health & Safety

Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases (CO) and fine particles from burning vegetation, and other materials. Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, even someone who is healthy and fit. Breathing in smoke can have immediate health effects, and can mimic COVID symptoms such as headaches, trouble breathing and fatigue. If you have a fever, seek medical attention. For more information on Smoke and COVID19 and the Effects of Smoke Exposure please visit:

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