Here is your 8:00a.m. report on conditions from the Rush Fire burning north of Wendel.
Today, according to the BLM’s 8:00a.m. fire update, will be a critical fire day with “Red Flag” conditions predicted to occur from one to nine p. m. due to low humidity and winds gusting to 35 mile per hour.
Firefighters will be spending the day concentrating on mop-up and holding containment lines and working to slow the spread in uncontained areas.
Just like yesterday, the most troubling area is likely to be the northeast corner of the fire around the Buckhorn Road/Buffalo Hills Wilderness Study area. Ground and air forces will concentrate on flanking and minimizing the northeastern and eastern spread in this area.
On the remainder of the perimeter, firefighters will seek out and mop-up any heat sources 300 feet and deeper into the fire perimeter.
Area and Road Closures in Effect: On August 17, the BLM issued a closure order for public lands in the fire area to protect public health and safety.
The closed area is bounded by Highway 395 on the west, the Sand Pass Road on the east, and the Wendel Road on the south. The new northern boundary for the public land closure is the Juniper Ridge, Tuledad, Stage Road, Marr Road, and Buckhorn Road extending to Nevada Highway 447 in Washoe County.
Routes closed within the closure area this morning include the Ramhorn Springs, Rye Patch Road, Buckhorn, Shinn Ranch, Stoney, Deep Cut, Smoke Creek, Skedaddle Ranch, Dry Valley, and Brubeck roads. The Ramhorn Springs Campground and the Dodge Reservoir Campground also is closed.
Travelers along the Highway 395 corridor, please use caution where fire crews and equipment are working in the fire area.
Remarks: NOTE: Use of chainsaws on public lands managed by BLM in NE California and far northwest Nevada is suspended effective Monday, Aug. 20, due to extreme fire danger. Fire officials remind residents and visitors that fire restrictions are in effect for public lands and national forests in northeast California and far northwest Nevada. Campfires are permitted only in posted recreation sites.
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
