The Plumas National Forest reports that since the first storms in the area Saturday night firefighters have been responding to and suppressing lightning fires, frequently in challenging locations and during additional thunderstorm activity.
So far there have been 29 confirmed lightning fires across the forest. The largest is approximately 2.75 acres. Of the 29 fires, 23 fires are contained. No communities or structures are threatened at this time.
Tuesday’s storms were wet, with areas of heavy rain and flooding reported. A drying trend is expected to start today. The National Weather Service extended the flood watch that included the PNF’s eastern half through 10 p.m. yesterday.
It is expected that holdover lightning fires will become visible in the coming days as warmer, drier conditions are predicted through the weekend into next week, said forest personnel. Holdover lightning fires can smolder for days and even weeks following a thunderstorm.
“Even with all of the rain, we are continuing to find lightning fires across the forest,” said PNF Fire Management Officer Martin Senter.
Area residents and visitors are asked to report suspected fires by calling 911. PNF asks that those planning to recreate in the forest over the Labor Day holiday weekend be careful with anything that can spark a wildfire. PNF is currently under Stage II fire restrictions, meaning campfires are only allowed in designated campgrounds with a campground host present.
“We have the resources locally to respond to wildfires, but for the next week or two we are expecting to be busy with additional lightning fires,” Senter said. “The public can help firefighters by preventing human-caused wildfires and complying with the Stage II fire restrictions.”
PNF reports that being prepared ahead of the storms contributed to the successful response to the resulting lightning fires. Additional resources brought in included 19 engines, one dozer and one helicopter.
Cooperation with partners has also helped “tremendously” with response, said personnel. On Tuesday afternoon, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection/Butte County Fire Department assisted with two lightning fires in the Feather River Canyon. Then late Tuesday night, firefighters on the Feather River Ranger District were able to return the favor by assisting Cal Fire/Butte County Fire Department with an incident.
“We appreciate the cooperation between local and state firefighting agencies we work with every day and the added support of firefighters and resources from Colorado, New Hampshire, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming during this lightning event,” Senter said. “Our firefighters and dispatchers are doing an amazing job as we work on locating and suppressing lightning fires across the forest. Many of these fires are challenging to access, located on ridges or steep slopes, and the dedication and commitment from our local resources and visiting firefighters to contain these fires is commendable.”
More information on the Plumas National Forest is available at www.fs.usda.gov/plumas and www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
