The North Complex Fire increased approximately 350 acres today. The two fires left that are still actively burning on the complex are the Claremont Fire (24,561 acres, 50% containment) and the Bear Fire (12,569 acres, 26% containment).

Firefighters made good progress holding the fire within containment lines, progressed with firing operations and strengthening contingency lines. Some spotting did occur, however firefighters were able to quickly contain them. Fire behavior along the north side of the Middle Fork of the Feather River has been favorably backing down.
After a smoke inversion lifted today, fire behavior increased in a small area on the northern flank of the Bear Fire, but that also improved visibility for helicopters to make water drops to support the ground crews there.
Tonight, firefighters plan to continue strategic firing operations with the goal of bringing fire from the western corner of the Claremont Fire to the eastern corner of the Bear Fire.
Weather and Air Quality
The air quality generally will be smoky, dense at times, but otherwise clear. Humidity recoveries will be 20-65% depending on elevation, about a 10% drop in humidities from Thursday night. Winds will be switching direction from up to down drainages, and 5-10 mph on ridgelines. For specific smoke impacts to your area, visit www.airnow.gov 
Forest Closures Plumas NF: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumasp/alerts-notices Lassen NF: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices 
Evacuations and Road Closures
Areas within the communities of Greenhorn, Sloat and Cromberg are still under Evacuation Advisories. Please visit the Plumas County’s interactive map for exact locations. For road closures, check the CalTrans quickmap.dot.ca.gov or 1-800-427-7623
We are now publicly broadcasting our Cooperators and Planning meetings daily though Zoom (for troubleshooting, please direct message the Plumas NF on Facebook). Cooperators: https://usfs.zoomgov.com/j/1602646317 Planning: https://usfs.zoomgov.com/j/1600484186
California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is implementing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both the fire area and surrounding communities.

Today's smoke report for the North Complex and Sheep Fires:

Southwest winds today will be slightly stronger than yesterday, transporting smoke further to the North and East, causing slightly worse air quality tonight in the Honey Lake Valley, Sierra Valley, and Reno areas. 

Smoke will settle into valleys at night, including Western Nevada valleys from the Black Rock Desert to Fallon, and dissipate tomorrow morning. The Quincy area may see some improvement this afternoon as smoke lifts, but heavy smoke will return tonight, similar to last night. The Oroville area will continue to see light smoke at night as smoke travels down the Middle Fork Feather River valley.

Smoke from the Slink Fire will also impact areas from Carson City to Reno.
 
Full outlook report below in article related file. 

The North Complex Fire increased approximately 100 acres overnight, with a combined acreage of 36,624 at 42% containment. The two fires that are actively burning are the Claremont Fire (24,330 acres, 49% containment) and the Bear Fire (12,154 acres, 29% containment).
California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the North Complex on Thursday.
Last night the fire held well within containment lines and firefighters made good progress gaining approximately one-half mile of firing operations to bring the Claremont Fire’s west edge toward the Bear Fire’s eastern edge. This area is where most of the active fire activity is and remains the priority for placing resources. Personnel patrolled containment line throughout the fire’s perimeter overnight, and continued to gain more depth in mopping up.
Today a smoke inversion is expected which will decrease smoke column activity, however it may lift in the afternoon which might increase fire behavior. With clear skies, aircraft will continue to support ground crews.
To continue strategic firing operations in inaccessible terrain, drones might be used to carry out tactical ignitions when conditions permit.
For a more in-depth description on tactical operations of the North Complex Fire, please watch our latest operational video updates at: www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas
Resources: 1,733 total personnel
28 dozers, 112 engines, 17 hand crews, 9 helicopters, 24 water tenders, 21 other heavy equipment.
Weather
Southwest winds will increase today, becoming gusty this afternoon and evening. The air also will become drier with humidities at 11-21% and gusty winds slightly increasing speed up to 22 miles per hour.
Air Quality
Generally smoky throughout the day, dense at times, but otherwise sunny. A general up-river, up-drainage airflow may push smoke to the north and east. For specific smoke impacts to your area, visit www.airnow.gov
Evacuations
An evacuation Advisory is still in place in Plumas County from Quincy La Porte Road between Thompson Creek and Red Bridge; Greenhorn; Spring Garden; and Highway 70 from Massack Rest Area to Spring Garden. For an interactive map, visit: plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information
Forest Closures: Plumas NF: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumasp/alerts-notices Lassen NF: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices
Emergency Alerts: Plumas: www.plumascounty.us/ Lassen: www.lassencounty.org/dept/sheriffs-office/sheriffs-office Road Closures: CalTrans quickmap.dot.ca.gov or 1-800-427-7623 Community boards: find out where daily updated fire informational boards are by visiting https://arcg.is/18vnSe
California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is implementing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both the fire area and surrounding communities.

Resources:  28 dozers, 112 engines, 17 hand crews, 9 helicopters, 24 water tenders, 21 other heavy equipment – North Complex Only
Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the communities impacted by the North Complex fires. Find out where by visiting https://arcg.is/18vnSe
Sheep Fire: The Sheep Fire remains at 29,750 acres and 71% contained. The fire stayed inside established containment lines today. Crews focused on working around remaining interior hot spots, which continue to ignite and burn, and to strengthen established lines ahead of the weekend's predicted warmer temperatures and higher winds. This will be the final evening update for the Sheep Fire.
North Complex: The North Complex consists of multiple lightning-caused fires (August 17, 2020) on the Plumas and Lassen National Forests. 
California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the North Complex at 6 p.m. 
On the Claremont Fire, crews focused on building fireline around the pair of slopovers west of Claremont Trail. Firefighters got lines and hose lays around the northernmost of the two slops while making good progress on the south slop. Personnel will remain engaged overnight and work to continue today’s progress. 
Part of the plan for containment is connecting the Claremont and Bear fires via Forest road systems and dozer lines and crews were able to start tactical firing operations heading west from the Claremont along Forest Road 23N70Y as part of the plan. Firing operations only take place when personnel, terrain and weather align and is used to solidify existing containment lines. 
The rest of the fire remained quiet as crews worked to mop up any lingering hot spots and gain depth in containment lines.
The Bear Fire continued its push north into the Fourth Creek drainage and east toward Pigeon Roost Creek with prevailing westerly winds. The fire remains checked up in Willow Creek to the west and the Middle Fork of the Feather River to the south. Firefighters worked to scout areas to build direct line where terrain and fire behavior allow.
Weather: Increasing southwest winds are forecasted for the coming days along with higher temperatures and lower humidity. A general up-river, up-drain flow will push smoke to the north and east.
Air Quality: Smoke will settle into valleys at night and dissipate Friday morning. The continued southwest flow could bring additional smoke from other fires west of the Central Valley. More information at www.airnow.gov
Closures/Evacuation: Plumas County – Quincy La Porte Road between Thompson Creek and Red Bridge; Greenhorn; Spring Garden; and Highway 70 from Massack Rest Area to Spring Garden are in advisory status and residents have been allowed to return to their homes.
More information can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information 
Plumas National Forest: For information on campground closures and Forest Closures in relation to the Bear, Sheep and Claremont fires, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumasp/alerts-notices.
Lassen County – The dirt portion of Gold Run Road remains closed and the dirt portion of Wingfield Road is open to residents only.  The Bureau of Land Management’s Eagle Lake Field Office has reopened the Dodge Reservoir Campground and the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail in Lassen County.
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
For text notifications about emergency alerts, 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
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 4 has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both the fire area and surrounding communities. 

Today's Smoke Outlook For full report, see attached file below.
Southwest winds will transport smoke to the north and east this afternoon and evening. Smoke will settle into valleys at night, and dissipate Friday morning. Quincy might see some improvement this afternoon as smoke lifts, but heavy smoke will return tonight. The Oroville area will continue to see light smoke at night as smoke travels down the Middle Fork Feather River valley. Continued southwest winds Friday might bring in additional smoke from other fires west of the Central Valley. Carson City and the Lake Tahoe area may see smoke impacts from the Slink Fire. 

Resources: 38 dozers, 192 engines, 24 hand crews, 13 helicopters, 43 water tenders, 26 other heavy equipment

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the communities impacted by the North Complex fires. Find out where by visiting https://arcg.is/18vnSe

Air Quality: Southwest winds will transport smoke to the north and east this afternoon and evening. Smoke will settle into valleys at night and dissipate Friday morning. Quincy might see some improvement this afternoon as smoke lifts, but heavy smoke will return tonight. The Oroville area will continue to see light smoke at night as smoke travels down the Middle Fork Feather River valley. Continued SW winds tomorrow may bring in additional smoke from other fires west of the Central Valley.

Current Situation on the North Complex: The North Complex consists of multiple lightning-caused fires (August 17, 2020) on the Plumas and Lassen National Forests.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 will be transitioning command of the North Complex to CIIMT 4 at 6 p.m.

Both the Bear and Claremont fires saw significant growth and smoke production Wednesday and smoked in surrounding communities for most of the day. With little change in the weather pattern, intense smoky conditions will persist for communities in the area.

Firefighters worked to contain a substantial slop over on the Claremont Fire. Tuesday’s east winds pushed the fire out of Claremont Creek drainage and uphill toward Claremont Chrome Road and Cattle Spring Mine. Resources worked throughout the night to gain containment on the slop and mop up where possible. A large workforce will reinforce those efforts today. Elsewhere around the perimeter, crews successfully kept the fire north of Forest Road 23N10 and the Middle Fork of the Feather River and mopped up areas of lingering heat.

The Bear Fire pushed north into the Fourth Creek drainage and east toward Pigeon Roost Creek with Wednesday’s westerly winds. Both of those areas have indirect dozer line ahead of the fire and are not in populated locations. Crews continue to work on structure protection measures in Haskins Valley, Bucks Lake and Highlands communities to the northwest of the Bear Fire. As the Bear Fire continues its eastern progression, firefighters are looking for opportunities to conduct strategic firing operations along dozer lines to connect the east flank of the Bear Fire to the west flank of the Claremont Fire.

Weather: Today’s winds are forecast to be out of the north and east and will test uncontained fireline along the Feather River. Upcoming temperatures are expected to be very hot and an excessive heat watch has been issued by the National Weather Service.

Closures/Evacuation: Plumas County – Quincy La Porte Road between Thompson Creek and Red Bridge; Greenhorn; Spring Garden; and Highway 70 from Massack Rest Area to Spring Garden are in advisory status and residents have been allowed to return to their homes. More information can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information

Plumas National Forest: Campgrounds closed include Rock Creek, Deanes Valley, Meadow Camp, Red Bridge, Brady’s Camp, Cleghorn Bar, Stag Point, Hartman Bar & Butte Bar. Trails include: Oddie Bar, No Ear Bar, McCarthy Bar, Hartman Bar, PCT from Onion Valley to Bucks Summit, Butte Bar - PCT Tie, Minerva Bar, Hottentot, Jackson Creek (Beckwourth RD), Lost Cabin Springs, and Bachs Creek. 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/plumasp/alerts-notices.

Lassen County – The dirt portion of Gold Run Road remains closed and the dirt portion of Wingfield Road is open to residents only.

The Bureau of Land Management’s Eagle Lake Field Office has reopened the Dodge Reservoir Campground and the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail in Lassen County.

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

For text notifications about emergency alerts, 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 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

Air Quality: Smoke will settle into valleys across the entire region from Susanville to Reno to Lake Tahoe to Grass Valley to Oroville to Chester. Heavy smoke will impact areas between Greenville and Portola. Areas near the fires, including Quincy, will see air quality in the Very Unhealthy and Hazardous category tonight. Moderate smoke will settle into Sierra Valley. Smoke will dissipate somewhat tomorrow during the day. Expect slightly worse air quality conditions tomorrow.

Current Situation on the North Complex: The North Complex consists of multiple lightning-caused fires (August 17, 2020) on the Plumas and Lassen National Forests. Quincy, Sloat, Meadow Valley, Genesee and even Susanville saw significant smoke and ash from the Bear and Claremont fires as winds shifted to a light southwest flow and blew drift smoke up the Middle Fork of the Feather River drainage.

With no significant push behind it, the smoke settled and remained in place throughout the day.  With the west winds, the Bear Fire pushed east into Pigeon Roost Creek toward the Claremont Fire and north into the Fourth Creek drainage. Both of those areas have indirect dozer line ahead of the fire and are not in populated areas.

Crews continue to work on structure protection measures in Haskins Valley, Bucks Lake, Highlands communities to the northwest of the Bear Fire.  Firefighters worked to contain a slop over that occurred late Tuesday on the Claremont Fire west of Claremont Trail. The rocky terrain is not suited for heavy equipment, but crews have been inserted into the area and they are confident it can be picked up.

Small spot fires south of highway 70 and west of Sloat were lined and mopped today and the southern line of the fire along the river and Forest Road 23N10 are holding well. 

Weather: Thursday’s winds are forecast to be out of the north and east and will test uncontained fireline along the Feather River. Upcoming temperatures are expected to be very hot and an excessive heat watch has been issued by the National Weather Service. Dry, stagnant weather is forecast into the weekend.

Closures/Evacuation: Plumas County – Quincy La Porte Road between Thompson Creek and Red Bridge; Greenhorn; Spring Garden; and Highway 70 from Massack Rest Area to Spring Garden are in advisory status and residents have been allowed to return to their homes. More information can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information 

Plumas National Forest: Campgrounds closed include Rock Creek, Deanes Valley, Meadow Camp, Red Bridge, Brady’s Camp, Cleghorn Bar, Stag Point, Hartman Bar & Butte Bar. Trails include: Oddie Bar, No Ear Bar, McCarthy Bar, Hartman Bar, PCT from Onion Valley to Bucks Summit, Butte Bar - PCT Tie, Minerva Bar, Hottentot, Jackson Creek (Beckwourth RD), Lost Cabin Springs, and Bachs Creek. 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/plumasp/alerts-notices. Lassen County – 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 For text notifications about emergency alerts, 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


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 

Wildland firefighting is a dangerous profession, no matter how you slice it.

There’s almost always a threat of falling trees or rolling rocks, days are long and spent primarily working in the sun and heat — add in burns, bee stings and poison oak, and there’s huge potential for injuries and medical emergencies on the fire line.

But there’s another level of complexity in the wildland fire medical response equation — rugged and remote terrain.

Wildland firefighters are often working in steep terrain that might be “near” a road on a map but is quite difficult to access when it comes to actually rescuing an injured firefighter. The risk of injury in rocky, steep or hard-to-access terrain is compounded exceptionally by the ability of medics and EMTs to actually access and extract the injured.

This conundrum has resulted in the rise of Rapid Extraction Modules — REM for short — on many of the fires burning across the United States during the summer including the fires within the North Complex.
 
 

These modules are outfitted for extractions in the toughest terrain, and aren’t afraid to utilize ropes, harnesses, pulleys or any number of other types of equipment that might have previously been features of the rock climbing community. REM team members often have years of medical experience as EMTs and paramedics, so patient care is high quality — but their bread and butter is their ability to get injured or sick patients out of nearly any predicament they might find themselves in, no matter where they are on a fire.
 
 

“All of us have spent time on fires, on crews, and a mix of military and structure (firefighting) backgrounds,” said Adam Mack of Remote Access Medical, which is based out of Bend, Oregon but is currently working on the Bear Fire.

Mack’s REM squad includes three EMTs and one paramedic, who is capable of advanced life support functions — IV’s, medications and even ultrasounds.

“Having line medics and ambulances out here is vital, because they fill a niche that we don’t, but a line medic can only do so much,” Mack said. “As an individual and they’re limited on the gear they can carry, whereas we have a four-person team, two UTVs, we’ve got a trailer full of gear, we can carry more stuff.”  

REM teams like Remote Access Medical are, unsurprisingly, growing more and more valuable on fires that count on remote forest roads for access, and particularly for areas that require crews to hike long distances to get to the fireline.

In addition to patient care and extraction, REM teams can also provide valuable assessments of potential work areas, to inform supervisors of how long they can expect a rescue to take out of a particular area.

“It’s all about speeding up the extrication times for getting individuals out of these challenging areas,” Mack said.

 See related file for today's SMOKE UPDATE

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 8 am

North Complex Information: (530) 316-4487; 9 am-9 pm
Email:2020.northcomplex.info@firenet.gov
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6997
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas

North Complex Morning Update
 

Resources: 35 dozers, 206 engines, 24 hand crews, 13 helicopters, 36 water tenders, 24 other heavy equipment

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 on the North Complex: The North Complex consists of multiple lightning-caused fires (August 17, 2020) on the Plumas and Lassen National Forests.

On Tuesday, residents of the following locations were allowed home: Quincy La Porte Road between Thompson Creek and Red Bridge; Greenhorn; Spring Garden; and Highway 70 from Massack Rest Area to Spring Garden. These areas remain under advisory evacuation orders.

The Claremont and Bear fires saw moderate growth Wednesday as east winds aligned with the Middle Fork of the Feather River and drove the fires to the west.

The Claremont Fire rose up out of Claremont Creek drainage and pushed west, slopping over dozer lines and throwing spot fires more than a quarter mile ahead of the flaming front. Firefighters were quick to react and attacked the fire with hand crews, heavy equipment, helicopters and air tankers. The fire crossed Claremont Trail and moved to the Claremont Chrome Road.

Crews remained engaged on the new growth throughout the night and will be reinforced as day shift personnel return. Other areas of the fire were relatively calm, and the fire is holding along well on the southern edge at the Middle Fork of the Feather River.

The Bear Fire pushed a little west and a little north but remains within the Willow Creek drainage to the west and is holding in the Fourth Creek drainage to the north. Crews remain focused on building indirect lines to protect communities to the north and northwest while scouting for opportunities to go direct.

Weather: East winds will give way to light, terrain-driven winds in a general south and southwest flow. Increased temperatures and low humidity will contribute to the cumulative drying trend and persistent chance for increased fire activity.

Air Quality: Southwest winds will return this afternoon, bringing widespread light to moderate smoke back to the area. Smoke will settle into valleys at night and dissipate Thursday morning. Quincy likely will see heavy smoke at times later today. The Oroville area will continue to see light smoke at night as smoke travels down the Middle Fork Feather River valley. Continued SW winds tomorrow may bring in additional smoke from other fires west of the Central Valley.

Closures/Evacuation: Plumas County – The mandatory evacuation order for Quincy La Porte Road between Thompson Creek and Red Bridge has been modified to advisory status and resident have been allowed to return their homes.

The mandatory evacuation order for Greenhorn, Spring Garden and Highway 70 from Massack Rest Area to Spring Garden has been modified to an advisory and residents have been allowed to return to their homes. More information can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information

Plumas National Forest: Campgrounds closed include Rock Creek, Deanes Valley, Meadow Camp, Red Bridge, Brady’s Camp, Cleghorn Bar, Stag Point, Hartman Bar & Butte Bar. Trails include: Oddie Bar, No Ear Bar, McCarthy Bar, Hartman Bar, PCT from Onion Valley to Bucks Summit, Butte Bar - PCT Tie, Minerva Bar, Hottentot, Jackson Creek (Beckwourth RD), Lost Cabin Springs, and Bachs Creek. 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/plumasp/alerts-notices.

Lassen County – 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

For text notifications about emergency alerts, 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 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.