The weather is not pleasant today in Susanville. Smoke from wildfires across the north state is laying down heavily in the Honey Lake Valley, magnifying the already oppressive heat.
Last night’s storm left us with a few smaller lightning starts south of the ridge between Susanville and Eagle Lake on the Paul Bunyan logging road. Those fires were found during morning reconnaissance flights and were quickly controlled by ground crews.
Most of the smoke on top of us is still coming from the Chips fire along the Feather River Canyon.
According to a Forest Service Update posted at 4:00p.m. Sunday, the Chips fire grew in multiple directions last night as the result of strong winds associated with passing thunderstorms.
A 200-acre spot fire outside containment lines has been detected east of the Caribou Road and is being aggressively attacked with ground and air resources. The main fire also was pushed southwest towards Highway 70 but has held within containment lines.
Two other spots outside containment lines have been detected on the fire’s northern flank and are also being aggressively attacked by crews, dozers and air resources.
Good news though for both Plumas and Lassen firefighters, the Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms has been cancelled. With clearing weather the fire will continue to be active today.
The Forest Service expects the fire to grow to the northeast today with predicted winds up to 12 mph out of the southwest.
Here is the current weather forecast from the National Weather Service:
Tonight Widespread haze after 11pm. Areas of smoke. Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Monday Widespread haze before 11am. Areas of smoke before 11am. Sunny, with a high near 90. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night Clear, with a low around 54. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 92. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 94.
