Smoke Outlook for the North Complex and Sheep Fires Sept 7 2020
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Fire
The Sheep Fire remains 29,570 acres with containment increased to 90%. The Bear and Claremont fires are a combined 39,779 acres and 45% contained. Conditions are favorable for active fire behavior today, but progress on fire containment should limit fire growth.
Smoke
Yesterday, moderate and intermittent fire activity led to reduced smoke impacts across the Outlook area. Today, west winds this afternoon will transport light smoke to Sierra Valley, Reno, and Truckee areas. Gusty NE winds will arrive tonight which will push smoke out of the area, although Oroville will continue to see smoke as the NE winds bring smoke towards Oroville. Other fires in California continue to bring widespread smoky and hazy conditions.
Fire Weather Alert
A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10pm tonight through 8am Wednesday due to gusty NE winds and low humidity. These winds will lead to Good air quality across most of the Outlook area. More information: www.weather.gov/sto/
North Complex Evening Update September 6 2020
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Current Situation
Weather and Air Quality
Evacuations and Road Closures
Forest Closures
All trails, roads and campgrounds within the forest closure areas are closed.
North Complex Fire Morning Update September 6 2020
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Current Situation
The North Complex Fire was active last night, but no long-range spotting occurred as forecasted.
Weather and Air Quality
Evacuations and Road Closures
Forest Closures
All trails, roads and campgrounds within the forest closure areas are closed.
Smoke Outlook for the North Complex and Sheep Fires Sept 6 2020
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Fire
The Sheep Fire remains 29,570 acres with containment increased to 86%. The Bear and Claremont fires now are one contiguous fire and are a combined 38,164 acres and 40% contained. Conditions are favorable for high fire activity today, although crews' progress on fire containment have limited fire growth.
Smoke
Yesterday, reduced fire activity led to better than expected air quality in areas to the north and east of the fire. Today, expect similar smoke conditions compared to yesterday, but perhaps with slightly more smoke settling in valleys tonight and slightly less smoke this morning and afternoon. SW winds will continue this afternoon, transporting smoke to Honey Lake Valley, Sierra Valley, and Reno areas. Smoke will settle into valleys at night, and dissipate tomorrow morning. Smoke concentrations from Susanville to Reno will highly depend on fire activity today. Other fires in California are contributing to widespread smoky conditions.
North Complex Fire Evening Update September 5 2020
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Sheep Fire
The Sheep Fire is no longer a part of the North Complex, however firefighters are continuing to identify and extinguish hot spots and mop up. Currently, it is at 29,570 acres and 86% containment.
Current Situation
The North Complex Fire grew by approximately 900 acres Saturday, due to an inversion that lifted this afternoon increasing fire behavior. Smoke from interior pockets of the fire increased as the fire made an eastern run from Grizzly Creek in between the Bear and Claremont Fires toward the Claremont Fire. Some long-range spotting occurred, and crews are monitoring and patrolling.
Firefighters made good progress holding the fire within containment lines from the Middle Fork of the Feather River to the eastern flank of the fire. On the south side, containment line is holding well as crews continue mopping up. An infrared flight today revealed little heat along the southwestern edge of the fire.
On the northwestern side around Lookout Rock, fire behavior was calm enough for firefighters to directly engage with the flames. The fire is also holding well along Willow Creek as the fire moves toward constructed bulldozer lines.
Adverse winds prevented firefighters from conducting strategic firing operations between the edges of the Bear and Claremont fires, but are hopeful to continue tonight when the more favorable down canyon winds arrive.
Weather and Air Quality
Smoke from both the North Complex Fire and another wildfire west of Fresno drifted into the Quincy area, however air quality was a slight improvement from yesterday. Tonight, humidity recovery will be 20-75% depending on elevation, and temperatures will range from 49 to 75 degrees. Winds will shift from up slope and up drainage to down slope and down drainage at about 5 mph. The air quality generally will be smoky. For specific smoke impacts to your area, visit www.airnow.gov
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Evacuations
Evacuation Advisories were lifted by the Plumas County Sheriff at 2 p.m. for the communities of Greenhorn, Sloat and Cromberg. Advisories are still in place for Bucks Lake area, and Quincy LaPorte Road from Highway 70 south to Red Bridge. Please visit the Plumas County’s website for an interactive map: plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information.
Road Closures
Quincy LaPorte Road from Highway 70 south to Red Bridge is open to essential traffic only. The dirt portion of Peppard Flat Road is closed.
Smoke Outlook for the North Complex and Sheep Fires Sept 5 2020
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South West winds will continue this afternoon, transporting smoke to Honey Lake Valley, Sierra Valley, and Reno areas. Smoke will settle into valleys at night, including Oroville and Western Nevada valleys, and dissipate tomorrow morning. Other California fires are contributing to widespread smoky conditions.
Labor Day weekend recreation
Smoky conditions are likely at area lakes and reservoirs this weekend, especially overnight and through the morning as smoke settles. The best chance for better air quality is during the afternoon. Because of the widespread smoke, it difficult to identify those recreation areas that may have less smoke impact.
Full outlook report below.
North Complex Fire Morning Update September 5 2020
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Firefighters made good progress holding the fire within containment lines and firing operations Friday night, accomplishing their goal of bringing the Claremont Fire’s western edge to the Bear Fire’s eastern edge. The North Complex Fire is now one contiguous fire.
On the northern flank of the fire, firefighters’ plan today is to continue firing downslope heading south to eventually meet with the Middle Fork of the Feather River when conditions are favorable. On the northwestern edge around Lookout Rock and far below Ontop Mine, some small spotting did occur, however firefighters kept them under control. The plan to box off the fire along 23N19 and constructed bulldozer line is going according to plan.
On the southern flank of the fire, activity remained relatively calm. Most activity was in the Red Bridge area where additional smoke plumes may continue to be seen today. To the southwest, two additional miles of contingency line was also constructed along Forest Road 22N94 in case any other future spot fires take hold.
Weather and Air Quality
Afternoon humidity will be 10-15% and temperatures are expected to increase a few degrees to a high of 99. Winds this afternoon could reach gusts of 22 mph along ridgelines. The air quality generally will be smoky, dense at times, especially toward the Middle Fork drainage along the southern flank of the fire. For specific smoke impacts to your area, visit www.airnow.gov
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: plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information. For road closures, check the CalTrans quickmap.dot.ca.gov or 1-800-427-7623
North Complex Fire Evening Update September 4 2020
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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.
Smoke Outlook for the North Complex and Sheep Fires Sept 4 2020
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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.
Morning update for the North Complex for Sept 4 2020
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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.