Lightning-caused fires in Plumas National Forest, evacuations underway

PLUMAS COUNTY, Calif. - Four fires started Monday afternoon after a thunderstorm passed through eastern Plumas County around 2 p.m. The four fires were all dry lightning strikes and were outside of the rain core of the storm.

The Mill, Mill 2, and Mill 3 fires are currently burning near the community of Whitehawk Ranch. The Smith Fire is currently burning north of California State Highway 70 between Smith Peak and Maybe. Together they are being called the Gold Complex.

All four fires are growing rapidly due to winds, slope, and dry fuels. According to Cal Fire, the fires have burned an estimated 700 acres.

The Plumas County Sheriff's Office has set up an Emergency Operations Center. A shelter is open at Quincy High School and animals can be evacuated to the fairgrounds.

State Route 89 remains CLOSED, from County Road A-15 to Calpine. Calpine is 76 miles north of South Lake Tahoe.

There are structures threatened by all four fires, including the communities of Whitehawk Ranch, Clio, Gold Mountain, Delleker, Lake Davis Area, and the south and west sides of Portola.

Multiple engines, firefighting crews, dozers, and aircraft are fighting the fires with more resources on order, including from Cal Fire and other agencies. An incident management team is being ordered tonight.

The situation is rapidly evolving, and Plumas Sheriff's Office and USFS Plumas National Forest are updating their social media pages often.