UPDATED PRESS RELEASE 8/30/2020 1:30PM

SHEEP (NORTH COMPLEX) FIRE

CORRECTED REPOPULATION INFORMATION

All Mandatory Evacuation Orders related to the Sheep fire have been downgraded or lifted:

Evacuation Warnings are in effect for the following areas:

• The south side of Richmond Road (golf course side) from Bauer Road and including Bauer Road to Highway 395 at the Susanville Ford Intersection and all driveways and roads accessed by the south side of Richmond Road.
• The Diane Drive Subdivision.
• Wingfield Road and all roads accessed by Wingfield Road from Richmond Road to Bass Hill Road (the dirt portion).
• Elysian Valley Road and all connecting roads west of Wingfield Road east including Indians Road, Walking Stick Way and Elysian Valley Way.

The following are instructions for residents returning home:

1.     Residents should be aware that changing conditions in fire activity may cause this area to escalate back to a mandatory evacuation order at any time. If you have evacuated large animals and vehicles, please keep them out of the area.

2.     Please use caution, reduce your speed, drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel.

3.     Just because the flames are out doesn’t mean the danger is over.  Damaged trees, structural damage, and flash flooding are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire.  DO NOT put yourself or your loved ones in danger by exploring.  Expect to see hotspots for some time.  Do not call 911 to report unless there is an immediate threat to life or property.

Road Closures:

• Forest Service Road 29N03 by Roxie Peconom Campground.

For questions about whether your address is under warning or lifted status, please call (530)316-4487. 

 See related file below for today's SMOKE OUTLOOK.

AUGUST 30, 2020 8 am

North Complex Morning Update  

Resources: 34 dozers, 173 engines, 23 hand crews, 15 helicopters, 49 water tenders, 18 other heavy equipment Virtual Community Meeting: There will be a virtual community meeting today at 2 p.m. via Zoom Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the community. Find out where: 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.

The top priority for fire crews today continues to be protecting the communities in the fire area and providing for the safety of firefighters and residents. Both the Bear and Claremont fires were active Saturday as wind and weather aligned in the afternoon to push the fires across containment lines in several areas.

On the Claremont, crews were able to get lines around several spot fires east of Highway 70 between Greenhorn Ranch and Harrison roads. Those spots and smoky conditions from an increase in fire activity contributed to a brief closure of Highway 70. The road is now open with traffic control escorts from California Highway Patrol. In addition to the spots across Highway 70, crews caught a slop over south of the Middle Fork of the Feather River near Spring Garden using heavy equipment.

The Bear Fire saw significant activity and growth as it pushed east and west. To the west, the fire is established in Willow Creek drainage, to the east it is pushing toward Sherman Creek from Deadman Spring Trail. Crews have a dozer line in place to prevent northern progression of the fire and are working indirectly to the northwest to protect communities in that area while scouting for areas to go direct. Work continues to protect the communities west and northwest of the Bear Fire.

The Sheep Fire’s southeast corner had the most activity Saturday but overall the fire remained relatively quiet and stayed within its footprint. Crews were able to conduct mop up operations to 200 feet interior along the southeast edge of the fire and 100 feet in other portions.

Weather: A dry front will move over the fire area today, bringing more northerly winds and lower humidities. This combination will encourage fire activity but also push much of the growth to the south and west. This change in the winds also should help alleviate smoky conditions in Susanville and nearby communities.

Air Quality: Variable and shifting winds are expected today, with southwest to west winds in the afternoon becoming northwest and northeast tonight. Smoke that settled last night is forecast to dissipate this afternoon but might return this evening. Impacts are again seen closest to the fire, with Quincy and Portola seeing the highest smoke concentrations. Visit www.airnow.gov for more information.

Closures/Evacuation changes: Plumas County –Highway 70 is open. All other evacuations and closures remain the same and can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information

Lassen County – The following Evacuation Orders were downgraded to Evacuation Warnings: Baxter Creek Road; Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave (open to residents only as there is still heavy fire equipment movement); Richmond Road and all roads accessed by Richmond Road from Hwy 395 to Pearl Circle, but NOT Cheney Creek Road; Wingfield Road including all connecting roads; Sunnyside Road from Hwy 395 to County Road A-3; Everything west of Highway 395 from Richmond Road east at the intersection by Susanville Ford to Janesville Grade and all roads in between; Main Street Janesville from Highway 395 to Janesville Grade and all roads accessed by Main Street Janesville. All other evacuations and closures remain the same. For text notifications about emergency alerts, residents can 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

The Pacific Crest Trail from Onion Valley to Bucks Summit remains closed as does Thompson Creek Road (Forest Road 24N26) and Red Bridge Campground. For further information on closures go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices. 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.

LINKS:
Sheep Fire – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7067/
Forest Closures: https://fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

Resources: 34 dozers, 173 engines, 23 hand crews, 15 helicopters, 49 water tenders, 18 other heavy equipment

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the community. Find out where: 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.

The Bear and Claremont fires showed considerable activity and growth this afternoon as westerly winds pushed the fire to the east and smoked infiltrated much of the area. Of highest concern were a handful of spot fires from the Claremont Fire east of Highway 70 between Greenhorn Ranch Road and Harrison Road. Crews were working on the spots into the evening hours and confidence was high in containment. Structure protection resources are stationed throughout Greenhorn, Sloat and adjacent communities. In addition to the spots across the highway, firefighters were contending with several spots on the southeast edge of the Claremont – in the Spring Garden area – but were making good progress and had lines in place.

The Bear Fire also pushed east as the portion of the fire that slopped over Deadman Spring Trail continued up drainage toward Sherman Creek but remains north of the Middle Fork of the Feather River. Firefighters continued to work on indirect line north and west of the Bear Fire to protect the communities in that area and are prepping lines if firing operations are required in the future.

Crews on the Sheep Fire found a spot fire on the southwest flank early Saturday morning but were able to construct line around it and contain it quickly. Following this spot fire, slightly reduced fire activity was seen across the fire area on Saturday despite hotter and drier conditions.

Weather: West winds will continue through the early evening hours but a dry cold front is forecast to move in Sunday. The front will bring north winds and lower humidity. This combination will encourage fire activity but also push much of the growth to the south and west.

Air Quality: Communities closest to the fires experienced poor air quality today and it is expected to continue until winds shift to a more northerly direction late Sunday afternoon. For more air quality information, visit https://www.airnow.gov/

Closures/Evacuation changes: Plumas County – As of 8 p.m., Highway 70 was open with one-way traffic control by the California Highway Patrol.

All other evacuations and closures remain the same and can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information

New for Lassen County – The following Evacuation Orders were downgraded to Evacuation Warnings: Baxter Creek Road. Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave (open to residents only as there is still heavy fire equipment movement). Richmond Road and all roads accessed by Richmond Road from Hwy 395 to Pearl Circle, but NOT Cheney Creek Road. Wingfield Road including all connecting roads. Sunnyside Road from Hwy 395 to County Road A-3. Everything West of Highway 395 from Richmond Road East at the intersection by Susanville Ford to Janesville Grade and all roads in between. Main Street Janesville from Highway 395 to Janesville Grade and all roads accessed by Main Street Janesville. All other evacuations and closures remain the same.For immediate text notifications about emergency alerts, residents can 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

The Pacific Crest Trail from Onion Valley to Bucks Summit remains closed as does Thompson Creek Road (Forest Road 24N26) and Red Bridge Campground. For further information on closures go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices.

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.

North Complex Fires:

Forest Closures: https://fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

Firefighters on the Claremont Fire are responding to a spot fire east of Highway 70. The fire is estimated to be 3-4 acres and located between Greenhorn Ranch Road and Harrison Road. There are significant structure protection resources in place in that area and multiple crews, including one handcrew and multiple engines, are responding.
Hotter and drier conditions—in addition to gusty afternoon winds—contributed to greater fire intensity and challenged crews on the north edge of the Claremont Fire today.
Due to an increase in fire activity Highway 70 is CLOSED from Squirrel Creek Road to Lee Summit.  

The Plumas and Lassen National Forests have issued closure orders in relation to the North Complex (Claremont and Bear fires) and the Sheep Fire. These orders only apply to National Forest lands included in the closure order and are in place for PUBLIC SAFETY.Complete closure order information can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

Resources: 40 dozers, 177 engines, 21 hand crews, 15 helicopters, 35 water tenders, 14 other heavy equipment Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the community. Find out where: 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.

The Bear Fire showed significant activity yesterday afternoon and late into the evening as winds and conditions aligned to help it spread east across Deadman Spring Trail and west along the Middle Fork of the Feather River toward Hartman Bar Trail. Firefighters still are working on indirect line northwest of the fire to protect the Haskins Valley and Buck Lake areas while looking for opportunities to build line directly against the fire’s edge. The south and southeast edges of the Claremont Fire remained active yesterday and continue to be the top priority on the fire today. Along the Highway 70 corridor, firefighters are implementing strategic firing operations where safe to do so to bring the fire down to the road and build a secure perimeter to protect the communities of Greenhorn, Sloat and other values to the east.

The Sheep Fire experienced slightly reduced fire activity Friday and through the night, which allowed crews to construct fireline, improve existing lines and continue mopping up a considerable portion of the fire.

Weather: Conditions are predicted to remain sunny, warm and dry. Winds will return to the normal west-southwest flow.

Air Quality: Variable winds, becoming southwest to west in the afternoon will push smoke east. Smoke that settled over the area last night is forecast to dissipate this afternoon but might this evening. Impacts are again seen closest to the fire. Quincy and Portola will see the highest smoke concentrations. Smoke in Susanville will depend on fire activity.

Closures/Evacuation changes: New for Plumas County – The following areas have been removed from advisory status:

· East Quincy, south of Lee Road from Radio Hill Road east. (To include East Quincy, south of Highway 70 between Millcreek (to include Mill Creek Road and Forest View Drive) extending east to Quincy LaPorte Road.

· Chandler Road (east end), from Highway 70 east to Carol Lane East.

Modified: Evacuation advisory for Quincy LaPorte Road from Quincy LaPorte Road & Highway 70 to Massack has been modified to an advisory for Highway 70 at Chandler Road, east to the west side of the Massack Rest Area. All other evacuations and closures remain the same and can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information

New for Lassen County – The following Evacuation Orders have been downgraded to Evacuation Warnings: Baxter Creek Road. Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave (open to residents only as there is still heavy fire equipment movement). All other evacuations and closures remain the same.

For immediate text notifications about emergency alerts, residents can 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

The Pacific Crest Trail from Onion Valley to Bucks Summit remains closed as does Thompson Creek Road (Forest Road 24N26) and Red Bridge Campground. For further information on closures go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices. 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.

North Complex Fires: Claremont Fire – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6996/ Bear Fire – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7025/ Sheep Fire – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7067/ Forest Closures: https://fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

North Complex Resources: 40 dozers, 177 engines, 21 hand crews, 15 helicopters, 35 water tenders, 14 other heavy equipment

Community boards: Fire staff are posting information daily throughout the community. Find out where: 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.

Activity on the Bear Fire picked up this afternoon and the fire pushed east across Deadman Spring Trail. Crews continued to build indirect line north of the fire to protect Meadow Valley, Quincy and Tollgate but also are looking for opportunities to go direct and minimize the footprint of the fire.

Firefighters on the Claremont Fire worked to contain a slopover (fire outside of the intended line) along the fire’s southeast perimeter. Air resources, ground crews and heavy equipment continue to work to contain it into the evening hours. Fire activity and increased smoke was visible from Quincy and communities west.

The Sheep Fire experienced slightly reduced fire activity today, which allowed crews to continue to construct fireline, improve existing lines and mop up, in addition to improving roads to contain the southern, western and northern sections of the Sheep Fire.

Weather: Conditions are predicted to remain sunny, warm and dry. Winds will return to the normal west-southwest flow.

Air Quality: East winds helped move smoke to the west and south. But smoke from the North Complex might return to the region again this evening as winds settle. Impacts are again seen closest to the fire. Quincy and Susanville continue to be hardest hit.

Closures/Evacuation changes: New for Plumas County – The following areas have been removed from advisory status:

• East Quincy, south of Lee Road from Radio Hill Road east. (To include East Quincy, south of Highway 70 between Millcreek (to include Mill Creek Road and Forest View Drive) extending east to Quincy LaPorte Road.

• Chandler Road (east end), from Highway 70 east to Carol Lane East.

  Modified: Evacuation advisory for Quincy LaPorte Road from Quincy LaPorte Road & Highway 70 to Massack has been modified to an advisory for Highway 70 at Chandler Road, east to the west side of the Massack Rest Area. All other evacuations and closures remain the same and can be found at https://plumascounty.us/2721/North-Complex-Fire-Information

  New for Lassen County – The following Evacuation Orders have been downgraded to Evacuation Warnings: Baxter Creek Road. Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave (open to residents only as there is still heavy fire equipment movement). All other evacuations and closures remain the same.

  For immediate text notifications about emergency alerts, residents can 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

  The Pacific Crest Trail from Onion Valley to Bucks Summit remains closed as does Thompson Creek Road (Forest Road 24N26) and Red Bridge Campground. For further information on closures go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices.

  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.

North Complex Fires:

Claremont Fire – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6996/ Bear Fire – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7025/

Sheep Fire – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7067/
Forest Closures: https://fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices

The overlap of the COVID-19 pandemic with wildfire season in the United States has complicated fire response drastically this summer. For one, people who are either susceptible to or affected by COVID-19 might have health conditions (both underlying and unknown) that also make them vulnerable to wildfire smoke exposure in the communities close to active wildfires. The influx of firefighters, contractors and other staff who respond to wildfires from outside the local area adds yet another potential layer of risk to communities already in the throes of dealing with a wildfire in their area.

With these risks in mind, the incident management team assigned to the North Complex has implemented measures to reduce potential exposure to those working on the fires, as well as members of the communities impacted by the fires. The biggest difference this season are in the fire camps themselves—congregation in fire camp is actively discouraged with to-go-style meals, while ample space has been provided for individual resources to stay appropriately distanced while in camp. The incident management team has also encouraged remote camps for crews and other resources, which often benefits them by keeping them closer to their work areas, cutting down on drive time.

More than just social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks, the team has sought avenues to keep firefighters and support personnel out of the community; these measures include choosing a camp location that provides an ample buffer between fire personnel and community members, utilizing proper procedures if and when contact is made with the public, and taking advantage of available technology to limit public interaction. An example of such technology would be our weekly virtual public meetings—being done over Zoom—as well as our interactive Story Maps that outline the progression of the fire and locations of fire information boards in impacted communities.

The North Complex Interactive Story Map can be found here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c0dab2e4b7d54375a11f734ef1f3859e

Detailed locations of Fire Information Boards can be found here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5a12c649b6f64cde90cd6ae21affe701

UPDATED PRESS RELEASE 8/28/2020 9:30AM
 
SHEEP (NORTH COMPLEX) FIRE EVACUATION WARNING LIFTED FOR SOME AREAS
 
Effective Friday, August 28th at 10am, the following Evacuation Warnings are lifted:
• Highway 36 from Harris Drive west to Devil’s Corral and all road accessed by Highway 36.
• County Road A-1 to Lake Forest Estates and all roads accessed by A-1 to that point.

The following are instructions for residents returning home:
 
1. Residents should be aware that changing conditions in fire activity may cause this area to escalate back to a mandatory evacuation order at any time.
If you have evacuated large animals and vehicles, please keep them out of the area.

2. Please use caution, reduce your speed, drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel.

3. Just because the flames are out doesn’t mean the danger is over. Damaged trees, structural damage, and flash flooding are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. DO NOT put yourself or your loved ones in danger by exploring. Expect to see hotspots for some time. Do not call 911 to report unless there is an immediate threat to life or property.

The following Mandatory Evacuation Orders are in effect for the following areas:
• Baxter Creek Road.
• Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave.
• Cheney Creek Road and all roads accessed by Cheney Creek Road.

The following Evacuation Warnings are in effect for the following areas:
• Gem Drive, Pearl Circle, and all roads accessed by those roads.
• Richmond Road and all roads accessed by Richmond Road from Hwy 395 to Pearl Circle. but NOT Cheney Creek Road, Baxter Creek Road, or the closed portion of Wingfield Road which are still under Mandatory Evacuation Order.
• Wingfield Road from Richmond Road to Peter Lassen’s Grave.
• Sunnyside Road from Hwy 395 to County Road A-3.
• Everything West of Highway 395 from Richmond Road East at the intersection by Susanville Ford to Janesville Grade and all roads in between.
• Main Street Janesville from Highway 395 to Janesville Grade and all roads accessed by Main Street Janesville.
• Bass Hill Road.
• Wingfield Road East from Bass Hill Road to Wingfield Road East including Elysian Valley Road, Indians Road and all connecting roads but NOT Baxter Creek Road.Road Closures:
• Cheney Creek Road.
• Wingfield Road at Baxter Creek Road to where the pavement begins at Peter Lassen’s Grave.
• Elysian Valley Road.
• Forest Service Road 29N03 by Roxie Peconom Campground.

For questions about whether your address is under mandatory, warning, or lifted status, please call (530)316-4487. Dispatch has been flooded with calls that can better be answered by someone who isn't also trying to answer emergency calls. People under order need to leave immediately. People under warning need to prepare to leave soon. Please use caution, drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel. Residents needing assistance evacuating are asked to call the dispatch center at (530)257-6121. If you need shelter, go to the Lassen Community College Dormitories. Large animals can be housed at the Lassen County Fairgrounds. Go to the Fair office on Russell Drive first before 5pm. After 5pm, call the Emergency Shelter Line at (530)250-9088. Liability, feed, and care of large animals is the sole responsibility of the animal’s owner. Deputies will be going door to door to make notification.