The Walker Fire is burning on the Plumas National Forest approximately 11 miles east of the community of Taylorsville, California. The fire is 5% contained and an updated acreage will be obtained during an overnight mapping flight.

No new evacuations have been ordered and no structures have been lost. The fire’s progression slowed earlier in the day as a result of cloud cover and reduced fuel to the north as it entered the previously burned Antelope Fire area. The fire spread to the north up Wheeler’s Peak drainage and east around the Antelope Fire scar reaching a mile and a half of south of Murdock Crossing.

Aerial and ground resources working together made good progress on the Walker Fire today, taking advantage of the reduced fire activity. When smoke and wind conditions permitted, VLAT’s (Very Large Air Tankers) capable of dropping up to 10,000 gallons of retardant, slowed the fire’s spread to the northeast and on the western flank in the Wheeler Peak drainage. Aircraft support gave crews working in conjunction with dozers time to construct fireline along the southern edge of the fire which crews and dozers will continue advancing around the fire this evening. Two Super Scooper aircraft dropped water and controlled two spot fires out in front of the main fire to the east. Resources continued patrolling and secured the fireline along the southwest edge of the fire, removing the threat to structures. Tonight, crews will continue securing the 25N42 road while other night shift resources look for opportunities to construct containment line along the fire’s edge where possible as well as areas further out from the fire with the highest probability of successfully containing the fire.

Evacuation Orders- Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, Plumas County Office of Emergency Services (OES) in conjunction with Lassen County Sheriff’s Office and Lassen County OES have ordered mandatory evacuations of Antelope Lake to the Plumas county line. Mandatory evacuations for the Genesee Valley road corridor, the Ward Creek area, and the Flournoy Bridge area are still in place, (issued through CodeRED). Residents who need accommodations should proceed to the Quincy area and contact the Sheriff’s Office.

Road Closures- Janesville Grade is now closed. Genesee Valley road is closed at the Flournoy Bridge. Antelope Lake road is also closed from the Flournoy Bridge to Antelope Dam. At the Flournoy Bridge turnoff, the 111 Beckwourth-Genesee road is closed through the fire area.

It is recommended that any public in an area potentially affected by the fire, continue to monitor fire information, have an evacuation plan, and sign up for the CodeRED emergency messaging system at: https://public.coderedweb.com/cne/en-US/BFB7CC4C6C0A

Breezy conditions along the ridgetop are expected as a weak weather system passes through this evening. Forecasted cloud cover and cooler temperatures are expected to raise the relative humidity tonight which may contribute to a decrease in fire activity. For updates http://www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6568/.

Walker Fire September 7, 2019 11 a.m. New Evacuation Orders and Updated Road Closures

QUINCY, CA. – The Walker Fire is burning on the Plumas National Forest approximately 11 miles east of the community of Taylorsville, California. The fire is 0% contained and approximately 24,040 acres.

New Evacuation Orders- Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, Plumas County Office of Emergency Services (OES) in conjunction with Lassen County Sheriff’s Office and Lassen County OES have ordered mandatory evacuations of Antelope Lake to the Plumas county line. Mandatory evacuations for the Genesee Valley road corridor, the Ward Creek area, and the Flournoy Bridge area are still in place, (issued through CodeRED). Residents who need accommodations should proceed to the Quincy area and contact the Sheriff’s Office.

Road Closures- Janesville Grade is now closed. Genesee Valley road is closed at the Flournoy Bridge. Antelope Lake road is also closed from the Flournoy Bridge to Antelope Dam.

For updates http://www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6568/.

The Walker Fire is burning on the Plumas National Forest approximately 11 miles east of the community of Taylorsville, California. The fire is 0% contained and approximately 24,040 acres.

The Plumas County Sherriff’s Office ordered mandatory evacuations for the Genesee Valley road corridor, the Ward Creek area, and the Flournoy Bridge area (through CodeRED). Residents who need accommodations should proceed to the Quincy area and contact the Sheriff’s Office. In addition, the Genesee Valley road is closed at the Flournoy Bridge. Antelope road is also closed from the Flournoy Bridge to Antelope Dam.

Last night the fire activity decreased, slowly backing down towards the 25N42 road where firefighters were able to engage and hold the fire east of the 25N42 road. The fire progressed to the northeast to area of Babcock Peak. Today more ground and air resources, including VLATs (Very Large Air Tankers), will aid in the fire suppression effort. Crews will be constructing containment line along the edge of the fire where possible and continue to secure the southwestern portion of the fire. Structure preparation will occur in the Murdock Crossing area. Aerial resources will be used to slow fire’s forward progression while ground crews look for opportunities to contain the fire to the northeast. No structures have been lost.

Forecasted cloud cover and cooler temperatures are expected to raise the relative humidity today, however, a predicted increase in southwest winds combined with drier fuels may increase fire activity. For updates http://www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6568/.

The Walker Fire is burning on the Plumas National Forest approximately 11 miles east of the community of Taylorsville, California. The fire is 0% contained and approximately 17,912 acres.

The Plumas County Sherriff’s Office ordered mandatory evacuations for the Genesee Valley road corridor, the Ward Creek area, and the Flournoy Bridge area (through CodeRED). Residents who need accommodations should proceed to the Quincy area and contact the Sheriff’s Office. In addition, the Genesee Valley road is closed at the Flournoy Bridge. Antelope road is also closed from the Flournoy Bridge to Antelope Dam.

Fire activity increased substantially due to forecasted winds over the fire area. The fire progressed to the northeast, crossing Last Chance Creek through Elephants Playground in the direction of Babcock Peak. Crews were able to hold the fire east of the 25N42 road. Suppression action was taken on spot fires that ignited near and just north of the 172 road, east of Flournoy Bridge. Crews continued structure preparation and were successful in structure defense, containing the spot fires that ignited around them. No structures have been lost. Tonight, fire resources will continue to suppress the fire near structures and continue constructing firelines.

Tonight, poor humidity and predicted southwest winds are expected to contribute to increased fire activity. For updates http://www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6568/.

The Walker Fire is burning on the Plumas National Forest approximately 11 miles east of the community of Taylorsville, California. It is currently 2000 acres and 0% contained. California Interagency Incident Management Team 14 took command of the fire at 6 a.m. on September 6, 2019.

Additional mandatory evacuations were ordered yesterday as winds pushed the Walker Fire primarily to the east/southeast. These evacuation have been issued by the Plumas County Sherriff’s Office (through the Code Red system) for the Genesee Valley Road Corridor as well in the Ward Creek area, and the Flournoy Bridge area due to the rapid rate of spread of the Walker Fire and the unpredictable fire behavior. Residents in need of accommodations should proceed to the Quincy area and may contact the Sheriff’s Office if assistance is needed. In addition, the Genesee Valley Road is currently closed at the Flournoy Bridge.

As of yesterday, the fire was well established in the Clearwater Creek drainage and was moving upslope (to the northeast) out of the drainage. The highest priority for crews overnight was to assess and clear around structures on the western flank of the fire along the Genesee Valley Road. The fire remains east of the Forest Road 25N42.Today, crews will continue to prioritize suppressing the fire near the structures.

Gusty, erratic winds are expected to increase fire behavior by this afternoon, although humidity recoveries were fairly good overnight. The forecast currently shows a drying trend with temperatures moderating. Windier conditions expected afternoon into the evening. Possibility of thunderstorms returns next week. For updates throughout the day please see http://www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6568/.

Operations have been successful in allowing the lightning-caused Middle Fire to reduce accumulations of dead and down forest vegetation. This will contribute to regeneration and renewal of this area, creating new habitat for wildlife while forming a buffer for more severe fires that may occur in the future.

One hotshot crew and one engine will stay in place to patrol and monitor the fire. Other resources were released, and the fire has transitioned from a Type 4 to a Type 5 incident management team.

Yesterday the 785-acre fire received about half an inch of rain. More rain is forecast this week. Higher humidity levels over the weekend resulted in ideal fire conditions during burnout operations.

Soon after locating Middle Fire on September 3, 2019, the fire staff on the Lincoln National Forest looked at numerous factors including weather, time of year, terrain, structures in the area, and available resources to determine which strategies to use during the fire. Fire personnel then identified a planning area where the lightning-caused wildfire would be allowed to fulfill its natural role within a fire-dependent ecosystem.

This will be the final update for the Middle Fire unless there is a significant change.

Size: 20 acres

Cause: Lightning

Location: 8 miles SE of Weed. 10 miles SE of Mayhill

Lat/Long: Example: 32°46'12.25"N 105°21'41.41W

Firefighting Resources: 2 engines + engine personnel, 2 crews (Total personnel: 22)

Fuel Type: Ponderosa pine, Grass

Values at Risk: None

Fire Update: Fire crews made excellent progress during today’s operations on the Middle Fire, located 10 miles southeast of Mayhill, NM on the Sacramento Ranger District. Favorable weather conditions allowed the Middle Fire to slowly burn through dead and down trees and grass at the bottom of Middle Canyon. Fire crews conducted burnout operations along Forest Service Road 176B to secure the fire to the west. Fire intensity has been low to moderate. Wildfires like the Middle Fire play an essential role as a natural disturbance that reduces excess forest fuels and decreases the likelihood of severe fire in the future.

The Middle Fire is in an ideal location with no homes, infrastructure, or other values at risk. During a low-intensity fire, wildlife in the area fly, walk, or burrow out of harm’s way during active burning, but typically stay close by. Many animals are fire-adapted and rely on periodic fire to renew the varied habitats on which they depend. After a fire, many animals like to forage along the edges of burned areas. Fire also increases food availability by stimulating seed production.

Smoke was first reported on August 31, 2019. After a substantial search, forest crews located the lightning-caused fire September 3, 2019.

While there is no planned end date for the wildfire, forest managers have established a planning area where the fire will be allowed to grow. Weather conditions and terrain will be significant factors in long-term activity and rain is expected early next week.

Smoke Info: Smoke is likely to be visible over the coming days from Mayhill, Pinyon, Weed, Duncan, and Sacramento. Please visit the NM Department of Health’s smoke page for information on protecting your health during fires and on smoky days: https://nmtracking.org/fire.

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The Lincoln National Forest is planning to allow the lightning-caused Middle Fire on the Sacramento Ranger District to fulfill its natural role of reducing forest fuels in hopes of reducing high-severity wildfire in the future.

While currently only about 5 acres in size, fire managers expect the Middle Fire to grow as it moves west through ponderosa pine in the bottom of Middle Canyon. Located about 8 miles southeast of Weed and 10 miles southeast of Mayhill, the low-intensity fire is in an ideal location with no homes, infrastructure or other values at risk. There are no closure orders in effect for the time being.

Smoke was first reported on August 31, 2019. After a substantial search, forest crews located the fire September 3, 2019. The fire is burning in an area with a moderate amount of dead and down trees towards the bottom of the canyon. Fire officials expect the fire to stay at the bottom of the canyon as the sides have limited fuel to allow the fire to spread. Permitting the wildfire to burn through this area naturally will remove fuels that could feed future severe wildfires. It will also help restore fire frequency intervals to historic conditions and improve a healthy ecosystem by increasing forage production.

While there is no planned end date for the wildfire, forest managers have established a planning area where the fire will be allowed to grow. This does not mean that the wildfire will move across the entire planning area. Weather conditions and terrain will be significant factors in long-term activity and rain is expected early next week.

Smoke is likely to become visible over the coming days as the fire spreads. As needed, crews will conduct burnout operations to properly direct the fire, which can cause an increase in the amount of smoke produced.

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FIRE UPDATE- The 3,487 acre Cherry Fire, located 20 miles Southeast of Jiggs, Nevada, is 100% contained. Firefighters devoted efforts yesterday to suppression repair and mop up operations. Suppression repair activities will continue with heavy equipment.

Resources have been gradually demobilizing as containment percentage improved, and most remaining resources will be released from the fire today.

The Burned Area Emergency Response Team (BAER) from the Forest Service has been brought in to evaluate the fire area to determine the next steps for post-fire rehabilitation.

Nevada Type 3 Team 1 (Hecht) will transition the fire back to the local unit in Elko tomorrow.

This is the final update.

FIRE UPDATE- The 3,487 acre Cherry Fire is located 20 miles Southeast of Jiggs, Nevada and is 95% contained. The fire has shown no growth in nearly a week and fire behavior has been minimal, exhibited as creeping, smoldering and some isolated torching.

Firefighters completed suppression repair yesterday on the northeast portion of the fire perimeter and will work with an excavator on the western perimeter today. Crews are continuing to address interior hot spots with help from helicopter bucket drops. Mop up and suppression repair work will continue today.

No structures have been lost and a thorough search by air and ground resources have turned up no evidence of lost livestock as a result of the fire.

Fire Investigators have determined the fire was caused by chainsaw use while woodcutting. The public is encouraged to continue fire prevention practices daily.

• Spark arresters are required on all portable gasoline powered
• equipment. This includes tractors, harvesters, chainsaws, weed-eaters and mowers.
• Use the recommended fuel grade and don’t top it off.
• Try to mow before 10 a.m. but never when it is windy or excessively dry. Metal blades can create sparks when striking rocks and start a fire.
• When using equipment, keep a shovel and fire extinguisher close.
• Don’t park your vehicle in dry grass or brush. Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start a fire.
• Practice safe towing, as dragging chains throw sparks. Use appropriate safety pins and hitch ball to secure chains.
• Properly maintain vehicle brakes.

The Incident Management Team offers thanks to the Bald Mountain Mine for their continued support of firefighting efforts.