Smoke from Loyalton Fire can be seen from Lake Tahoe

8:30 p.m. SUNDAY UPDATE: The Loyalton Fire which originated east of the town of Loyalton and southwest of Mount Ina Coolbrith is now estimated at 29,828 acres and 0 percent contained. It is north and east adjacent to the areas of Beckwourth Pass and Hallelujah Junction.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Today the fire exhibited rapid rate of spread with wind-driven runs in the southeast corner of the fire. Erratic winds from cumulus buildup pushed fire east-southeast towards 395 and Bordertown. Gusty and erratic wind gusts were predicted to be in the mid-teens with changing directions. Long range spotting contributed to fire spread. Rate of spread increased as fire transitioned from timber to sage/grass fuel types.

Hwy 70 is closed from Hwy 49 to 395. Hwy 395 is now open.

Evacuations

Effective immediately, a Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for residents from the intersection of Red Rock Road (California) and Hwy 395 to the State line.

Effective immediately, Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for residents on Scott Road on the north side of Hwy 70.

Effective immediately, a Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for residents from the intersection of Hwy 49 and 70 east to Hwy 70 and Hwy 395. Hwy 395 south to the state line. This encompasses everything south of Hwy 70 and west of 395.

Effective immediately, Mandatory Evacuation Orders have been issued for Balls Canyon Road, Long Valley Road, Bordertown and Copperfield. Bordertown/Cold Springs are limited to the west of 395.

Evacuation Advisory - Effective immediately, an Evacuation Advisory has been issued for the north side of Hwy 70 and the east side of Hwy 395.

3:00 p.m. SUNDAY UPDATE: There is an update to evacations that was just released.

Effective immediately, a Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for residents from the intersection of Red Rock Road (California) and Hwy 395 to the State line.

Effective immediately, Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for residents on Scott Road on the north side of Hwy 70.

Effective immediately, a Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for residents from the intersection of Hwy 49 and 70 east to Hwy 70 and Hwy 395. Hwy 395 south to the state line. This encompasses everything south of Hwy 70 and west of 395.

Effective immediately, Mandatory Evacuation Orders have been issued for Balls Canyon Road, Long Valley Road, Bordertown and Copperfield. Bordertown/Cold Springs are limited to the west of 395.

Evacuation Advisory - Effective immediately, an Evacuation Advisory has been issued for the north side of Hwy 70 and the east side of Hwy 395.

2:00 p.m. SUNDAY UPDATE: US395 is back open this afternoon but SR70 remains closed in the area of Vinton and Chilcoot in Plumas County due to the fire.

Ground resources made positive progress yesterday afternoon backed by multiple helicopters and air tankers dropping water and retardant. The Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) made numerous drops in the early evening. VLAT's are converted DC-10's or 747's that supply nearly 20,000 gallons of retardant per drop. Air resources will continue support today as conditions allow.

The Loyalton Fire displayed active behavior throughout the night. Firefighters worked through the night extinguishing spot fires outside the current fire perimeter and protecting threatened structures. Extreme fire behavior has been displayed at times, especially when overhead thunderstorm cells cause downdrafts and dangerous fire conditions.

Red Flag Warnings are in place throughout the immediate area today due to thunderstorms, strong outflow winds, and dry vegetation.

Burned acreage has not been updated since Saturday evening so officials are still reporting 20,000 acres burned and now at zero percent contained.

10:00 p.m. UPDATE: US395 is closed in both directions from Hallelujah Junction to Bordertown after the Loyalton Fire crossed the highway. SR70 is also closed in the area of Vinton and Chilcoot in Plumas County. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route.

7:15 p.m. UPDATE: The Loyalton Fire burning east of the Sierra community is now estimated at 20,000 acres and is still five percent contained. The fire is burning in grass, sagebrush, and juniper and has spread north toward the community of Chilcoot and east into Long Valley. Active fire behavior is expected throughout the evening.

Evacuations: There are mandatory evacuations in portions of Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra County:

Mandatory evacuation Chilcoot, south of Highway 70
Mandatory evacuation Long Valley Road and Scott’s Flat Road south of Highway 70
Mandatory evacuation west of Highway 395 from Hallelujah Junction to Cold Springs
Advisory evacuation in Vinton
Advisory evacuation in Chilcoot, north of Highway 70
Advisory evacuation east of 395 from Hallelujah Junction to Cold Springs

Closures: Highway 70 closed from Highway 49 to Highway 395. Hwy 395 is closed from hallelujah junction to Border Town.

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Those looking to the north from Lake Tahoe today have been able to see a huge plume of smoke from the 2,300 acre Loyalton Fire. It is currently burning east of the town of Loyalton and southwest of Mount Ina Coolbrith. Saturday's fire behavior is very active, and a smoke column is also visible throughout the Sierra Valley and North Reno.

The Loyalton Fire is burning in the Tahoe National Forest approximately 75 miles north of Lake Tahoe. It started on Friday, August 14 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Its cause is currently under investigation.

The weather forecast is fo hot and dry conditions with a potential for dry thunderstorms.

Three hundred personnel are on the scene and the fire is currently five percent contained.