Current Situation

Today, aerial ignitions did not occur in the area around the penstocks. Potentially, hand ignitions will be conducted late tonight into early tomorrow morning to secure small sections of the line. Firefighters continued to cold trail the spot near French Creek and secure containment line over to Highway 70. Plumas County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the Quincy La Porte Road evacuation advisory and the “Residents only” advisory for La Porte. The Quincy La Porte Road from Red Bridge south to the Plumas County Line is open. All other evacuation orders and advisories remain in place.

Tonight, firefighters will continue to mop-up and patrol in preparation for the expected increased winds at the end of the week. If fire progression holds at the penstocks, this weekend the evacuation order of the Bucks Lake and Haskins area will be re-evaluated.

The Plumas National Forest has issued a Closure Order, prohibiting entry within the North Complex, and on any National Forest System road or trail in the Mt. Hough and Beckwourth Ranger Districts. A copy of the complete order and map is available at the link below.

There will be two operational briefing videos 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 and Plumas county sheriff’s offices have 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 North Complex is 318,724 acres, an increase of 1,265 acres from last report, and is 83% contained. The fire is gradually backing and flanking to the northeast. Crews continue to construct, improve and extend control lines on the north side of the fire. This work is occurring along Hwy 70 as well as the rest of the uncontained fire perimeter.

Smoke

There is still significant smoke lingering over the area. An atmospheric high pressure system is causing hot, dry, and calm weather. Cooler and windier conditions are expected Friday. Firefighters are preparing for this eventuality. One positive outcome is there will likely be cleaner air by the end of the week. On Monday and Tuesday however, expect continued moderate to USG conditions. Communities in the Sacramento Valley, Sierra mountains and East of the Sierra are all likely to see haze and smell smoke.

Check it out

In addition to airnow.gov, there's an app for that! EPA's Smoke Sense app (for android and iphone) makes it easy to find out about the latest air quality conditions near you. You can also report your observations.

 Current Situation

Crews continued putting in hose lays and brushing along the penstock to prepare the terrain for when the fire reaches the area within the next 24-48 hour period. 

Fire tactics are looking into utilizing drones to introduce fire into the extremely steep terrain around the penstock to reduce fuels and provide for firefighter safety. A helicopter dropping ping-pong sized balls that ignite on impact is being considered as a back-up if the drones aren’t available.     

Fire fighters continue to focus on the east side of  Highway 70. Today, dozers and crews will be opening old lines in the Camp Fire area  to provide contingency if the fire spots across the highway.

The Lassen National Forest is assisting in preparing contingency lines to assist with protecting structures and with structure protection.

There will be two operational briefing videos 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).West Zone: The West Zone is being managed by CAL FIRE and remains in mop-up and patrol status. No further updates will be provided unless significant changes occur.  Evacuations and Road ClosuresButte and Plumas county sheriff’s offices have 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

 Current Situation

Today, firefighters focused on constructing and reinforcing containment lines both to the north and south of the fire within the highway 70 corridor. Crews worked on cold trailing, carefully inspecting and feeling with the hand for heat, the French Creek Spot Fire from 5 days ago.

Fire is expected to continue backing and flanking with roll out down toward the North Fork of the Feather River, Highway 70 and down into Bucks Creek. Fire has not crossed Highway 70.

Firefighters will be reinforcing containment lines, in addition to patrolling for spot fires during the upcoming change in winds.

Night operations may initiate ignition to support firefighting efforts in the Penstock area to meet the main fires edge.

There will be two operational briefing videos 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). West Zone: The West Zone is being managed by CAL FIRE and remains in mop-up and patrol status. No further updates will be provided unless significant changes occur.   Evacuations and Road Closures Butte and Plumas county sheriff’s offices have 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 North Complex remains 317,459 acres and is now 83%

contained. Crews continue scouting, locating, improving and

extending control lines on the north side of the fire. This is

occurring along Hwy 70 as well as the rest of the uncontained

fire perimeter.

Smoke

East of the Sierra, air quality should be in the moderate and

USG categories Sunday. Mountain communities will have

continued smoke and haze, with Quincy and Chester likely

seeing USG and unhealthy levels. Smoke continues to fill the

Sacramento valley from the west, leading to unhealthy air in

both Oroville and Grass Valley.

Health and Safety

Your pets can be affected by wildfire smoke. If you feel the

effects of smoke, they probably do, too! Smoke can irritate

your pet’s eyes and respiratory tract. Animals with heart or

lung disease and older pets are especially at risk from smoke

and should be closely watched during all periods of poor air

quality. Let dogs and cats outside only for bathroom breaks if

air quality alerts are in effect.
 

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

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020                      Size: 317,459 acres      Containment: 83% 

Engines: 102   Handcrews: 35   Dozers: 36    Helicopters: 13    Water Tenders: 47    Total Personnel: 1,604

Fatalities: 15                                                   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,471

Current Situation

Management of the North Complex has transitioned from Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black to California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 at 6 p.m. yesterday. Team 4 looks forward to continuing to work with our cooperators including CAL FIRE, Butte County Sheriff, Plumas County Sheriff and California State Parks.

North & South Zone:

Crews conducted firing operations overnight to reinforce retardant lines near the penstocks within the Highway 70 corridor. The fire continues to gradually back and flank to the northeast but has not spotted across the highway.

Other night shift resources patrolled the remainder of the fire’s containment lines, which continued to hold.

Today, firefighters will again be focused on constructing and reinforcing containment lines both to the north and south of the fire within the highway corridor. They will be supported by multiple heavy helicopters and single engine air tankers as soon as flying conditions allow.

There will be two operational briefing videos 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).

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

Evacuations and Road Closures

Butte and Plumas county sheriff’s offices have 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: 317,459 acres      Containment: 83% 

Engines: 102   Handcrews: 35   Dozers: 36    Helicopters: 13    Water Tenders: 47    Total Personnel: 1,604

Fatalities: 15                                                   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,471

Current Situation

Management of the North Complex has transitioned from Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black to California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 at 6 p.m. today. Team 4 looks forward to continuing to work with our cooperators including CAL FIRE, Butte County Sheriff, Plumas County Sheriff and California State Parks.

North & South Zone:

Firefighters continue to focus on the Highway 70 corridor as the fire gradually backs and flanks to the northeast. Crews are working to establish containment lines ahead of both the north and south sides of the active fire within the canyon. Heavy helicopters and single engine air tankers delivered retardant until mid-day when visibility deteriorated. The fire has not spotted across the highway as of 6 p.m. today. There were no containment issues along the remainder of the fireline, which continues to be monitored with both day and night shifts.

Crews will continue to work overnight along Highway 70 to monitor for spot fires while watching out for rock and tree rollout making its way onto the road.

There will be two operational briefing videos 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).

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

Evacuations and Road Closures

Butte and Plumas county sheriff’s offices have 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.

FireThe North Complex Fire grew 774 acres yesterday and is now 317,459 acres and 79% contained. Crews continue to work on building containment on the north side of the fire along Hwy. 70, as well as patrolling the entire fire perimeter.

SmokeMountain communities will see continued smoke and haze, with Quincy and Chester likely seeing USG levels. Saturday is another day of light wind, East of the Sierra air quality will remain mainly in the moderate category. The Sacramento Valley is full of smoke: Oroville, Grass Valley, and surroundings will likely see mostly unhealthy air today.

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

Incident Start Date: 8/17/2020                       Size: 317,459 acres      Containment: 83%    
 

Engines: 104   Handcrews: 40   Dozers: 36   Helicopters: 13    Water Tenders: 45    Total Personnel: 1,675
 

Fatalities: 15                                                   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,471

Current Situation
 

North & South Zone:

Night crews maintained their presence on the Highway 70 corridor and as of 7 a.m., the fire had not spotted across the highway. The fire does continue to gradually move to the northeast, beginning near Grizzly Dome Tunnel and bumping up along the highway for about two miles. Other night shift resources patrolled the remainder of the fire’s containment lines, which continued to hold.

Resources today will remain focused on the Highway 70 corridor, utilizing heavy helicopters and single engine air tankers with retardant while crews reinforce dozer line and existing roadways. The rest of the fire’s perimeter will continue to be monitored for any sources of heat.

The North Complex will be transitioning from a Type 2 Incident Management Team to a Type 1 Incident Management Team. This will be the last update from Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black and at 6pm today, Team Black will transition the fire to California Interagency Incident Management Team 4.
 

For more information there is both a morning and evening recorded operational briefing video that will be posted to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page at 9 a.m. and 10 p.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:

Butte and Plumas county sheriff’s offices have evacuation orders and warnings issued for areas northwest of the fire along the Highway 70 corridor. Please check your respective county’s sheriff 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

Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team Back 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: 317,459 acres      Containment: 79% 

Engines: 104  Handcrews: 40  Dozers: 36     Helicopters: 13  Water Tenders: 45    Total Personnel: 1,675

Fatalities: 15                                                   Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 2,471

Current Situation

North & South Zone:

The fire continues to actively burn in the Highway 70 corridor as it gradually moves to the northeast from the Grizzly Dome Tunnel. It has not spotted across the highway as of 6 p.m. today. Favorable flying conditions allowed heavy helicopters, large air tankers and single engine air tankers, all using retardant, to slow the fire and support firefighters constructing line.

There were no containment issues along the remainder of the fireline, which continues to be monitored with both day and night shifts.

Crews will continue to work overnight along Highway 70 to monitor for spot fires while watching out for rock and tree rollout making its way onto the road.

Firefighters are finding members of the public inside the fire closure area, specifically in the Grass Valley Reservoir and La Porte areas. The public is being asked to respect the closures and stay out of the area for public and firefighter safety.

For more information there is both a morning and evening recorded operational briefing video that will be posted to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page at 9 a.m. and 10 p.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

Butte and Plumas county sheriff’s offices have evacuation orders and warnings issued for areas northwest of the fire along the Highway 70 corridor. Please check your respective county’s sheriff 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

Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team Back is implementing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both the fire area and surrounding communities.