News Release 07/12/08 09:00 AM PT
Incident: Canyon Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 7/12/2008
News Release - 07/12/08 9:00 a.m. PT
Crews make good progress on Canyon Complex Fires despite challenging terrain and weather. The Information Center has moved to the Feather River College. Contact hours and phone numbers remain the same.
Yesterday's Activities:
Friend-Darnell Fire: Firefighters and dozers made good progress constructing containment lines yesterday. The fire is located south of Bald Rock Dome and Big Bald Rock, and west of Bald Rock Road.
South-Frey Fire: These fires have now been combined. Crews continued burnout operations to improve constructed fire line on the southern portion to check fire spread toward Feather Falls. The South-Frey continued to spread downhill to the southwest at several locations along the Middle Fork Feather River.
Scotch Fire: The Scotch Fire continued to spread outside the perimeter in several locations. Firefighter observed intense surface fire, crown fire and some uphill runs. The fire spread across the Middle Fork Feather River and is moving toward Hartman Bar.
Little, Bear and Fox Fires: The fires are being patrolled due to limited resources. There were scattered hot spots and stump holes observed on the Bear Fire. Fire activity on the Little Fire was minimal.
Belden Fire: Low humidity kept the fire active within the fire perimeter. The fire was held between Indian and Chips Creeks. Precautionary and advisory evacuations for the community of Belden remain in effect.
Cold Fire: Lines continue to hold. It is 95 percent contained.
Weather and Fire Behavior: On the Friend-Darnell Fire, the potential for very high to extreme fire activity remains. This would include torching and spotting ahead of the fire due to very high temperatures, low humidity and very dry conditions. The South-Frey Fires retain potential for significant fire spread. Winds will continue from the west, with low humidity and temperatures above 90 degrees. Hot dry conditions will cause interior islands of vegetation to continue burning within fire perimeters. For local air quality conditions visit www.countyofplumas.com/ or Butte County at www.bcaqmd.org/
Today's Planned Actions: On the Friend-Darnell Fire: Construct fire line to Bald Rock Dome on the north perimeter and complete fire line on the south side. Structure protection will continue. Fire managers continue to evaluate the possibility of evacuees returning to their homes and businesses.
Their assessment is based on the current and projected fire activity, and whether hazards around residences and access roads have been mitigated.
South-Frey Fire crews will continue strengthening fire lines on the north side by burning out excess vegetation. Line construction and improvement continues on the south side of the fire.
Belden Fire crews will continue improving contingency lines on Long Ranch Ridge and if the air clears, they use aircraft to help with firefighting efforts. They hope to hold the fire between Indian and Chips Creeks.
Limited line construction and holding operations are underway at the Scotch and Little Fires. Line construction continues on the South-Frey Fire along the 22N94 Road towards Fall River. The Bear, Four Mile, Rock and Chico Fires will be patrolled while awaiting more resources.
Restrictions: Current evacuations remain in place. Highway 70 remains closed to the public from Highway 70/89 Greenville Y to Yankee Hill Road, but is open to residents from the junction of Greenville Y to the Indian Creek Junction, west of Belden. For road information call CalTrans at 1-800-427-7623.
Private businesses and resorts in forest communities, including facilities around Bucks Lake, are open. Forest closures remain in effect to protect visitors in areas of active fire.
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from the Plumas National Forest northern boundary to the LaPorte-Quincy Highway (to the northeast of Little Grass Valley Reservoir). For additional information please visit www.pcta.org/.
Forest Road 22N94 is closed at its intersections with 22N27 (west of Little Grass Valley Reservoir). This area closure covers public land, including trails, bounded by (1) the North and Middle Forks of the Feather River toward the PCT, the Bucks Lake Wilderness; and (2) areas surrounding the Cold Fire in eastern Plumas County. Specific campground closures include: Milsap Bar, Little North Fork, Rogers Cow Camp, Feather Falls and Hartman Bar. The forest website - www.fs.fed.us/r5/plumas has additional information. Wood cutting and fire restrictions are still in place across the entire Plumas National Forest.
FOR QUICK FACTS and DETAILED INDIVIDUAL FIRE INFORMATION RELATED TO THE CANYON COMPLEX, please see the [PDF] version of this News Release at the top of this page.
This Fire Update was produced by the Canyon Complex Information Center staffed by PNW Team 3 Incident Management Team.
