Good morning and welcome to your SusanvilleStuff northeast California fire update.
Here is the latest info from the Fire Information Center’s 8:00a.m. update on the Chips Fire
Fire Facts:
- Date started: July 29, 2012
- Number of Personnel: 1,045
- Location: 2 miles Northwest of Belden, CA Crews: 18
- Size: 20,040 acres Engines: 51
- Percent Contained: 16% Dozers: 20
- Estimated Containment Date: August 31, 2012
- Water Tenders: 20
- Cause: Under Investigation
- Helicopters: 4 Type 1, 2 Type 2 and 2 Type 3
- Cost to Date: $8,900,000
- Air Tankers: Available if Needed
- Structures Threatened: 25 Residence; 4 Commercial
- Injuries to Date: 7
Friday morning’s update:
Last night crews aggressively attacked a 200 acre spot fire beyond the north containment line south of Grizzly Campground. Today Crews will continue to hold and respond to any spot fires on the fire’s north flank. Firefighters will continue to hold and mop-up along the Caribou Road and Highway 70 where the fire has now reached the roadways.
There is a new spot fire east of Mosquito Creek and north of Feather River’s North Fork. Firefighters are evaluating this spot fire and developing a strategy for containment. The spot fire is within the contingency lines that are being improved between Butt Lake and Feather River North Fork.
The Yellow Creek to Butt Lake and Humbug Road contingency lines are in place and being improved.
Containment objectives for the Chips Fire are to keep the fire south of Humbug Summit Road, north of Highway 70 and Tobin, west of the Butt Lake transmission lines, and East of Philbrook Reservoir. Crews are stationed in communities along the Feather River Canyon to provide structure protection.
The Incident Command Post is moving from Quincy and will combine with the other camp at Lake Almanor Day Use Area on Highway 89. While we are attempting to maintain phone lines during the move, there may be short periods where phone service is interrupted.
Fire Behavior and Smoke:
Temperatures will be near 100 degrees with relative humidity in the single digits. Winds are again expected to be out of the southwest and up-canyon by afternoon and will challenge firefighters trying to hold north and northeast containment lines. Fire behavior may be extreme where winds align with canyons and heavy fuels.
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Public Safety:
The California Department of Transportation is implementing traffic controls along Highway 70 due to safety concerns. Travelers should check Highway 70 conditions regularly (800-427-ROAD / www.dot.ca.gov). Motorists should expect delays and need to anticipate firefighting personnel and apparatus on the road in the vicinity of the fire.
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:
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.
Sheriff’s voluntary evacuations are in place for the Rush Creek area and an area south of Highway 89 that includes Butt Valley Reservoir and Humbug Reservoir. Residents between Tobin and Twain on Highway 70 are under a Sheriff’s advisement to begin developing evacuation plans. This area includes Belden, Maggie’s Trailer Park and Little Haven.
A hard closure remains in place along Caribou Road from Highway 70 to Butt Lake. 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. The communities of Meadow Valley, Chester, Canyon Dam, Greenville, and Susanville area are not threatened at this time, nor are those west of the fire area including Paradise, Jarbo Gap, and Concow.
In the interest of firefighter and public safety, the Plumas National Forest has expanded the original closure area due to fire growth. A fire closure area has also been established for Lassen National Forest. Both closure areas will remain in place until the area is safe 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). Motorists are encouraged to use caution on Highway 70 in the area of the fire.
