The Plumas and Tahoe national forests share an update for the Gold Complex — including the Smith Fire and Mill Fire — currently burning on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District and Tahoe National Forest Sierraville Ranger District.
As of July 28, the only Gold Complex evacuation order remaining is a mandatory order for PLU-113, which is the area directly adjacent to the Mill Fire’s perimeter. No residents are impacted by these evacuations. Forest Service personnel report that fire managers are working with the sheriff to adjust down to the fire’s perimeter. Specific evacuation information is available at facebook.com/plumascountysheriff.
The Smith Fire is 100% contained. Some isolated smoke may occasionally be visible far interior and firefighters will continue to patrol the area.
Crews made significant gains in containment of the Mill Fire July 27 with continued mop-up efforts that ensured there is no isolated heat within 100 feet of the fire line. Suppression repair will begin over a portion of the fire area July 28, focusing largely on repairing dozer lines and reducing the potential for erosion in areas that have been disturbed by suppression activities.
Mop-up will continue in areas that have not yet been sufficiently contained, while patrol will also continue to make sure no heat or smoke appears near the line. Forest personnel say mopping up is a critical piece of firefighting, and can include “cold-trailing,” where firefighters remove their gloves and feel through the dirt with their hands to ensure that absolutely no heat remains that could rekindle.
A cooling trend is expected to continue through Tuesday, July 30, with temperatures predicted to be in the high 70s and low 80s for the next three days. Higher overnight humidity levels are anticipated to stick around through the next few evenings. Forest personnel said the smoke from the Park Fire has had a notable moderating effect on weather over the last two days.
Quick facts
- Acres: Mill, 2,962; Smith, 45
- Containment: Mill 75%; Smith 100%
- Detection date: July 22, 2024
- Cause: lightning
- Total resources: 354
- Crews: 6
- Engines: 32
- Dozers: 2
- Helicopters: available as needed
- Fixed wing: available as needed
Fire information
Maps and operational updates are available at inciweb.wildfire.gov/. Real-time map-based information with no log-in needed is available at egp.wildfire.gov/egp/Default.aspx.
Information provided by Plumas National Forest, Tahoe National Forest
