Plumas National Forest reports that a thunderstorm in eastern Plumas County around 2 p.m. today, July 22, resulted in four dry lightning strikes outside the rain core of the storm than have become wildfires on the Beckwourth Ranger District. The first fire was reported around 2:45 p.m.
The Mill, Mill 2 and Mill 3 fires are currently burning near the community of Whitehawk Ranch. The Mill Fire is estimated to be approximately 500 acres, while the Mill 2 and Mill 3 fires are each estimated to be approximately 75 acres. The Smith Fire is currently burning north of California State Highway 70 between Smith Peak and Maybe. The fire is estimated to be approximately 50 acres.
All four fires are growing rapidly due to winds, slope and dry fuels, reports PNF.
There are structures threatened by all four fires, including in the communities of Whitehawk Ranch, Clio, Gold Mountain and Delleker, along with the Lake Davis area and the south and west sides of Portola.
The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for evacuations and is sharing information on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/plumascountysheriff. As of 6 p.m. July 22 an evacuation order had been issued for the north side of Delleker, Maybe, the area around Lake Davis and County Road A-15. Those impacted are directed to evacuate west to Quincy Junior-Senior High School. An evacuation warning has been issued for the west side of Portola, south side of Portola, Gold Mountain, Whitehawk and everything between Highway 70 and the Feather River from Portola to Maybe.
Multiple engines, firefighting crews, bulldozers and aircraft are fighting the fires with more resources on order, including resources from Cal Fire and other agencies. PNF reports an incident management team is being ordered tonight.
All four fires are being combined into the Gold Complex.
“These fires are still in initial attack tonight, with dispatchers focused on ordering additional resources and wildland firefighters working on fighting these fires,” said Acting Plumas National Forest Fire Management Officer Ryan Bauer. “Our first priority is public and community safety while fighting the fires. We ask residents in the affected communities to help us by being aware, complying with evacuation orders and allowing us to focus on fire suppression and community protection.”
More Plumas National Forest updates are available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
Information provided by Plumas National Forest, Plumas County Sheriff’s Office
