Beckwourth Complex Fire grows 10,000 acres - almost 25,000 acres burn, 10% containment

The fires burning in the Beckwourth Complex have now consumed 24,525 acres and it is 11 percent contained.

The Sugar Fire within the Complex had significant fire growth yesterday (approx. 10,000 acres). SW wind alignment (plume dominated) and receptive fuels were the contributing factors of fire spread and intensity. Fire behavior included wind driven runs, group torching and long-range spotting. The weather will become hotter and dryer with a forecasted heat wave this weekend. Fuel moistures remain critically low, and relative humidities as low as 10%.

The fire remained active all night, progressing east towards Adam’s Peak where it crossed the escarpment west of Doyle. The fire is burning around the Frenchman Lake with numerous spot fires on the eastern side of the lake. Crews conducted strategic firing operations for structure protection north of Frenchman Lake. Fire is pushing to Dixie Lookout to the north. Firefighters worked to gain containment on the southwest and northwest edge of the fire near Sugar Loaf. Today firefighters will assess and reevaluate strategies for containment focusing on the escarpment area west of 395 and structure protection.

A new branch was established today along the Hwy 395 corridor near Constantia Road including BLM, CAL FIRE and local resources. Our state, local and federal partners are critical as we implement our suppression efforts.

The Dotta Fire remains in its current footprint as crews continue to mop up.

A virtual community meeting was held last night at 7:00 p.m. and is posted on the Plumas National Forest Facebook page for viewing.

Evacuations: MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER has been issued for residences along Highway 70 between Beckwourth-Genesee Road to the Plumas/Lassen County Line.

This includes Chilcoot and Vinton and all residences north of Hwy 70 between the Beckwourth-Genesee Road and the County Line and all residences along the south side of Hwy 70 between the Beckwourth-Genesee Road and the County Line.

You should leave the area immediately. If you remain emergency personnel may not be able to help you.

An evacuation center is set up at Portola Station Baptist 171 S. Gulling Street in Portola.

Mandatory and warning evacuations are in effect for the Plumas and Lassen Counties, and are changing rapidly due to the dynamics of this fire. For the most current information please refer to their Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas
https://www.facebook.com/LassenSheriff

Closures: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7601/60695/

A Forest Closure Order has been issued for the Beckwourth Fire Complex within the Beckwourth Ranger District.

Road closures from Janesville-Frenchman Road, Hwy 284, Frenchman East Shore, Beckwourth-Genesee Road and smaller feed roads are in effect.

Weather: Today will be hotter and dryer than yesterday with low relative humidity and highly receptive fuels. Winds will be lighter. The weather will continue to be hotter and dryer with a forecasted heat wave this weekend. Fuel moistures remain critically low.

Air Quality: Smoke, including smoke from neighboring fires, will continue to become more prominent each day due to southerly winds. Refer to https://www.airnow.gov for more information on smoke conditions in your area.

Fire Restrictions: Current fire restrictions remain in effect for the Plumas National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/plumas/home/?

For information on Highway 70 please see CHP - Quincy or Caltrans District 2 pages.

If you need assistance with animals contact Plumas County Animal Services at 283-3673. Large animals/livestock can also be accommodated.
Please avoid the evacuated areas!

U.S. 395 was closed for a period on Friday but it was unrelated to the fire and has since reopened.