Fire Facts:
- Date started: July 29, 2012
- Number of Personnel: 1,009
- Location: 2 miles Northwest of Belden, CA
- Crews: 10
- Size: 36,743 acres (57 square miles)
- Engines: 82
- Percent Contained: 12%
- Dozers: 36
- Estimated Containment Date: August 31, 2012
- Water Tenders: 30
- Cause: Under Investigation
- Helicopters: 5 Type 1, 3 Type 2, and 2 Type 3
- Cost to Date: $14,800,000
- Air Tankers: Available
- Structures Threatened: 900 Residence; 4 Commercial;
- 36 Outbuildings
- Injuries to Date: 7
Today’s Update:
The Plumas County Sheriff issued a Voluntary Evacuation for Canyondam, Big Meadows, and Rocky Point Campground at 5 PM last evening. The Sheriff’s Advisement for other communities along Highway 89 including Prattville, Almanor, and West Almanor remains in effect (see more details in Evacuation Section below).
Last night crews made continued progress strengthening and extending the north containment line towards Butt Valley Reservoir. The north containment line along Humbug Road has held for more than 48 hours, and crews hope to be able to tie this line into the north shore of Butt Valley Reservoir today. No movement occurred along Highway 70 and the west flank.
New contingency lines along Highway 89 and north of Humbug Road are being improved with dozers and other heavy equipment. CalFire and Office of Emergency Services engines continue to arrive and will comprise a robust structural protection group for the communities threatened by the Chips Fire.
The 940 structures that are considered threatened are in the following communities: Lake Almanor West, Almanor, Prattville, the Big Meadows subdivision, Canyondam, Belden, Rush Creek, and Seneca, and structures along Caribou Road. Please note, the increase in structures threatened is the result of better structure mapping not additional communities being threatened.
PG&E representatives are working closely with the fire management team, and are prepared to de-energize transmission lines as needed for firefighting efforts, including the use of aircraft.
Fire Behavior and Smoke:
The fire was less active last night. However, fire conditions are still critical and capable of producing extreme fire behavior where winds align with canyons. The fire will continue to move northeast towards Butt Valley Reservoir where it has not yet reached the shoreline. At several locations the fire backed into the North Fork of the Feather River above Caribou Road. Yesterday smoke hung over the fire area grounding air resources most of the day and suppressing fire activity. Today smoke is expected to lift early, which may produce increased fire activity this afternoon.
Public Safety:
Motorists are encouraged to use caution on roads within the vicinity of the fire, particularly on Highway 70 and Highway 89 due to increased fire traffic. Travelers should check highway conditions regularly at 800-427-ROAD or www.dot.ca.gov.
Smoke will continue to pose health concerns for the public. Residents are encouraged to visit the “Protect Yourself from Smoke” website for smoke protection information at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Wildfires/. Local air quality conditions and forecasts are available at http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.main.
For tips on how to prepare for a potential evacuation and what to do if you are evacuated, residents in and near evacuation areas are encouraged to visit the “Ready, Set, Go” website at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/article/3052/15480/.
Power Outages:
To report and get updates on power outages please call PG&E’s 24-hour emergency and customer service line: 1-800-743-5002.
Evacuations and Closures:
Mandatory Evacuations – Rush Creek and the community of Seneca remain under a mandatory evacuation. The Caribou Road from the junction of Highway 70 to Butt Lake Dam as well the Butt Lake Dam, Ohio Valley Road, Butt Lake Road, Humbug/Humboldt and all additional secondary roads West of Highway 89 between Canyondam and the Humbug/Humboldt Road are under a “Hard Closure”. Additional evacuations may be necessary depending on fire activity.
Sheriff’s Voluntary Evacuations are now in place for Canyondam, Big Meadows and Rocky Point Campground. Residents between Tobin and Twain on Highway 70 are under a Sheriff’s Advisement to develop a family evacuation plan. This area includes Belden, Maggie’s Trailer Park, and Little Haven. Should members of the public require shelter assistance, please call the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office at 530-283-6300. They will coordinate shelter arrangements through the Plumas County Office of Emergency Services. People with disabilities are high priority for help.
Butt Valley Reservoir recreation facilities administered by PG&E (Ponderosa Flat Campground, Cool Springs Campground, Ray Adams Day Use Area and Boat Launch, as well as Yellow Creek Campground) are closed due to the fire. Gansner Bar, North Fork, and Queen Lily USFS campgrounds remain closed. The Little Grizzly dispersed camping area and High Lakes OHV area, are also closed.
Communities west of the fire area including Paradise, Jarbo Gap, and Concow are not threatened at this time.
In the interest of firefighter and public safety, the Plumas and Lassen National Forests have expanded the original closure areas due to the fire’s growth. The closures will remain in place until the area is safe for the public to enter. Please see the Forest Orders and closure maps on InciWeb (address above). Pacific Crest Trail hikers may bypass the affected area by hiking Highway 70/89 or catching a bus with Plumas Transit to Chester, CA (weekdays only).
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