Updated Saturday August 18th, 4:26a.m.
Good morning and welcome to our overnight fire update on the Rush fire burning north of Wendel. Residents at the east end of the Honey Lake Valley had a spectacular view of the fire again last night as the flames made their way up and over Skedaddle mountain.
Road Closure Area Expanded
Yesterday the road closures put in place by BLM were expanded; Dodge Reservoir and Campground and the Buckhorn Road, from the junction with Marr Road to Nevada Highway 447, have been closed because of danger posted by the Rush Fire.
A larger public land closure put into place earlier this week remains in effect. The closed area is bounded by U. S. Highway 395 on the west, the Sand Pass Road and Nevada Highway 447 on the east, the Juniper Ridge, Tuledad, Stage, Marr and Buckhorn Roads on the north, and the Wendel Road on the south.
Routes closed within this area include the Horn, Garate, Ryepatch, Ramhorn Springs, Shinn Ranch, Stoney, Deep Cut, Smoke Creek, Skedaddle Ranch, Dry Valley, and Brubeck roads. The Ramhorn Springs Campground also is closed.
The BLM and Lassen County Sheriff’s Office are coordinating to enforce the closures.
Now let’s take a look at the official update from the BLM regarding the fire. This is the update sent out late Friday night.
Friday Night Report on Conditions
On Friday the fire spread northeast towards Garate Road. Residents along Mail Route/County Road 502 and Garate Road were advised of the status of the fire for that area.
Fire crews provided structure protection throughout the afternoon and held the fire spread in this area.
Along the southern edge, firefighters conducted burning operations down to Wendel Road. Crews continue to scout for opportunities to contain fire spread.
Last night and this morning, firefighters are holding and securing the divisions that have control lines, conducting burning operations as conditions permit, and will continue to flank the northern and southern edges of the fire with dozers and hand crews.
Possible thunderstorm activity is in the forecast for the next two days. This fire has showed significant growth from thunder cell downdrafts on several occasions. Extreme fire behavior, dust devils, and fire whirls continue to threaten and breach fire control lines. Live fuel moistures remain at record low.
The fire remains within 1/2 mile of Highway 395. The public needs to be aware for the need of possible intermittent closures of Highway 395 due to fire activity and public safety.
Your early morning statistical update on the Rush Fire
- Started: August 12, 2012 at 6:42 pm
- Cause: Lightning
- Fuels: Fire is burning in sagebrush, juniper, and grass
- Estimated Size: 209,638 acres
- Containment: 30%
- Expected Containment: 8/22/2012
- Committed Resources: Approximately 468 people
- Structures Threatened: 36 (30 residences; 1 commercial; 5 outbuildings)
- Structures Damaged or Destroyed: 1 (barn)
- Injuries: 2 (both in fire camp)
Location: The fire is located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Northern California District (BLM-CA-NOD,) Eagle Lake Field Office, approximately 15 miles southeast of Ravendale, California. The fire is burning near a major natural gas line and transfer station, and power transmission lines that supply the Reno area.
A note for our readers who are LMUD customers – Due to the unstable nature of PG&E’s Caribou transmission line LMUD will be operating off of Honey Lake Power for the duration of the Plumas County Chips Fire. LMUD is asking that all customers conserve energy by unplugging or turning off all non-essential household equipment and appliances.
Rush Fire, Lassen County
