Following thunderstorms Sunday and Monday, the Plumas National Forest reports that firefighters have responded to several lightning fires and a human-caused wildfire this week. Since last Friday, firefighters have responded to 10 lightning fires and three human-caused wildfires.
Weather will continue to be dry over the next several days, with more seasonable temperatures in the forecast along with increased winds, said PNF. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning through Saturday evening that includes the eastern side of the Plumas National Forest for gusty winds and low humidity.
It is expected that with these conditions, holdover lightning fires will become visible in the coming days, said PNF. Holdover lightning fires can smolder for days and even weeks following a thunderstorm. Firefighters will continue to monitor conditions and respond to lightning fires as they are discovered in the coming days, said PNF.
“The forest took a lot of lightning early this week and we are prepared to respond to resulting fires as they are discovered in the coming days,” said PNF Fire Management Officer Martin Senter. “We need the public’s help by calling 911 to report suspected wildfires, but also to use caution and prevent human-caused wildfires.”
Wednesday afternoon firefighters on the Feather River Ranger District responded to the Shelter Fire located near Brush Creek and the Oro-Quincy Highway in the 2020 North Complex burn scar. The fire was quickly contained at just under a quarter acre and is now in patrol status.
“The Shelter Fire could have become a much larger incident without the quick reporting by area residents and rapid response by state and federal firefighters,” Senter said. “We are also seeing conditions where reburning in burned areas is increasingly a risk and it is important for public and firefighter safety to help prevent wildfires in these areas.”
All lightning fires on the Mount Hough and Feather River ranger districts are in patrol status or declared out.
On the Feather River Ranger District:
- Table Fire: located near La Porte Road; one-tenth acre; out
- Letter Fire: located in the 2020 North Complex burn scar near Grizzly Forebay in heavy snags; approximately 11.1 acres; in patrol status. Area residents and visitors should watch for increased firefighting traffic accessing the fire from Oro-Quincy Highway.
- Poverty Fire: located near Poverty Hill south of La Porte; approximately 1.35 acres; controlled and in patrol status
- American 2 Fire: located near American House; approximately 2.35 acres; controlled and in patrol status
- Highlands Fire: located south of Bucks Lake at Bucks Highlands; controlled Monday afternoon at half an acre; out
- Ridge Fire: discovered Tuesday near Lumpkin Ridge; approximately one-tenth acre; out
- Lumpkin Fire: discovered Tuesday near Lumpkin Ridge; approximately one-tenth acre; out
On the Mount Hough Ranger District:
- Red Bridge Fire: single-tree lightning strike near La Porte Road; controlled Monday and out
- Wolf Fire: located south of California State Highway 89 and northwest of Greenville; controlled Monday at one-tenth acre and out
“Our firefighters have done a tremendous job this week, responding quickly and working to keep fires small,” Senter said. “As we go into the weekend, area residents and visitors can help by being careful with anything that can spark a wildfire so we can continue to focus on lightning fire location and response.”
More information on the Plumas National Forest is available at www.fs.usda.gov/plumas and www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
