This post is no longer being updated. Current Sheep Fire Information can be found here at https://www.susanvillestuff.com/hundreds-still-under-evacuation-orders-as-massive-sheep-fire-devastates-valley/
Updated 10:06p.m. The Evacuation Warning for Highway 395 North to Leavitt Lake including all subdivisions has been lifted.
The following areas have been downgraded to an Evacuation Warning only:
- The south side of Johnstonville Road from the Intersection at Hwy 36 and Hwy 395 North to Airport Road
- The Diane Drive Subdivision
- Richmond Road from Hwy 395 to Circle Drive including Circle Drive and all roads accessed by Circle Drive
- Wingfield Road to Old Archery Road but not including Old Archery Road
The following are instructions for residents returning to their home:
1. Residents should be aware that changing conditions in fire activity may cause this area to escalate back to a mandatory evacuation order at any time. If you have evacuated large animals and vehicles, please keep them out of the area.
2. Residents who choose to return to their homes will only be allowed to access their residence from Richmond Road East (by Susanville Ford). Residents who try to pass through the traffic control point at Richmond Road and Hospital Lane will be turned around.
3. You will be asked to show proof of residence at the traffic control point located at Richmond Road and Deforest Drive.
4. Please use caution, reduce your speed, drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel.
Updated 9:41p.m. The Sheep Fire grew to 23,423 acres today, making an aggressive push with a vertical pyrocumulus cloud to the northeast today coming off the Diamond Ridge escarpment.
A finger of the fire advanced towards Highway 395 where crews redeployed resources along Wingfield Road, west of Bass Hill, to protect structures.
Multiple engines, hand crews, and water tenders also conducted structure protection in the Diane Drive area.
Air tankers were again restricted from entering the area due to smoke, but multiple helicopters were used to try to limit the advance of the fire.
Currently, there are no known structure loses. Several evacuation advisories were issued including portions of the City of Susanville.
Tonight, crews will continue to defend structures along 395 south of Susanville in the Wingfield Road area and push the fire back when provided an opportunity with cooperative cooling temperatures and light winds.
Updated 8:39p.m. The following area has been downgraded to an Evacuation Warning only:
The south side of Johnstonville Road from the Intersection at Hwy 36 and Hwy 395 North to Airport Road.
Updated 5:34p.m. Sunnyside Road from Hwy 395 to County Road A-3 is now under Evacuation Warning.
Updated 5:14p.m. The City of Susanville is issuing an advisory evacuation for all residences West of Richmond Road beginning at Hospital Lane extending to Mill Street.
All Susanville residents are asked to conserve water and limit usage until further notice. Due to the fire and the water trucks pulling from our lines, we are anticipating an incredible impact to our water system. Our community’s cooperation during this time is greatly appreciated.
Updated 4:44p.m. Highway 36 from Harris Drive west to Devil’s Corral and all road accessed by Highway 36 are under Evacuation Warning.
County Road A-1 to Lake Forest Estates and all roads accessed by A-1 to that point are under Evacuation Warning
Updated 4:12p.m. The California Highway Patrol is closing Highway 395 at the Highway 36 junction. Traffic will be routed to Standish, across A3 and to 395 in Janesville.
Updated 4:02p.m. The south side of Johnstonville Road from the Intersection at Richmond Road and 395 North to Airport Road is under Mandatory Evacuation Order.
Highway 395 North to Leavitt Lake including all subdivisions is now under Evacuation Warning.
Updated 3:03p.m. The City of Susanville is issuing a Mandatory Evacuation of Maurino Manor including: Pearl Circle, Sapphire Court, Gem Drive, Opal Court and Emerald Court. Please stay safe and allow for emergency personnel.
Updated 2:05p.m. Active fire on the eastern flank of the fire, near Baxter Creek, is burning fiercely at this time, producing spot fires in the Peter Lassen Grave area and near Bass Hill.
NEW MANDATORY EVACUATIONS:
Wingfield Road west to Bass Hill Road and all connecting roads in between including Wingfield Road east all the way to Main Street Janesville are now under Mandatory Evacuation Order.
South of Richmond Road and west of Diamond Crest and all connecting roads are under Mandatory Evacuation Order
Everything west of Elysian Valley Road and Wingfield Road including all connecting roads are now under Mandatory Evacuation Order.
The following is a new evacuation warning
Everything South of Richmond Road to Highway 395 and all roads in between.
Everything West of Highway 395 from Richmond Road to Main Street Janesville and all roads in between.
Updated Sunday 9:45a.m.
Fire behavior moderated again overnight, and crews were successful in establishing new dozer line on the east flank of the fire from Wingfield Road to the Diamond Mountain Motorway.
Crews will perform a firing operation today in the Willard Creek-Cheney Creek Road area to secure the west flank of the fire.
Crews will also continue to secure and strengthen both flanks while providing structure protection.
Dry fuels, low humidities, and steep terrain continue to make for challenging firefighting conditions.
Weather: RED FLAG WARNING FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. There is increasing potential for isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms over much of Northern California. Lightning from dry thunderstorms will have the potential to start new fires.
Road Closures: The Richmond Road closure from Gold Run Road to just east of Gem Drive. Forest Service road 29N03 near Roxie Peconom is closed at Hwy 36. Biz Johnson Trail remains closed.
Updated 10:17p.m. Resources on the fire, according to the IC’s evening update, include 15 dozers, 47 engines, 5 hand crews, 2 helicopters, and 10 water tenders. Additional resources are on order, availability remains scarce.
Current Situation: Unified Command was established this morning between the California Incident Management Team 1 and CalFire.
Overall, the fire did not grow much as crews worked throughout the day constructing dozer line while contending with spot fires on the east and west flanks of the head of the fire near Susanville.
On the east flank, crews worked to construct line around Hulsman Ranch, Wingfield Road and Hidden Hills.
On the west flank, they worked in the areas of Williams Creek and Willard Creek.
Smoke inhibited the use of aircraft again today.
Dry fuels, low humidities, and steep terrain continue to hamper firefighting efforts, as is the lack of available resources due to other fires throughout the state. Tonight, crews will continue to strengthen existing fire line while providing structure protection.
Updated 6:26p.m. Forest Service road 29N03 near Roxie Peconom is closed at Hwy 36 due to fire activity on the western flank of the Sheep Fire.
Updated 5:35p.m. Susan Hills Water Board Notice
This is a message from the Susan Hills Water Advisory Board – “Water advisory for the Susan Hills area: Please conserve water. Many residents evacuated and left sprinklers and hoses running. While this may seem like a good way to protect your property, it drains the power on the pump system and fire personnel no longer have sufficient pressure to use the fire hydrants in the area. If you are sheltering in place, please make every effort to conserve water. If you evacuated with your sprinklers and/or hoses running, please call your local utility board and give them permission to turn them off for you.”
Updated 5:31p.m. Lassen County’s Public Health Department has issued a County-Wide Air Quality Alert for Hazardous Air. The alert has been issued for all areas of Lassen County. Smoke levels across the county have been classified as: HAZARDOUS
Everyone may begin to experience more serious health effects.
All individuals, especially the elderly, young children, pregnant women, those with lung or heart disease, and anyone with sensitivities to air pollution are to AVOID all outdoor exposure until further notice.
• CLOSE ALL SCHOOLS
• CANCEL ALL OUTDOOR EVENTS
• CONSIDER CLOSING WORKPLACES
Updated 10:22a.m. According to the Incident Command’s morning update resources on the fire include 15 dozers, 36 engines, 2 hand crews, 2 helicopters and 12 water tenders. Additional resources are on order, availability remains scarce.
Today, fire managers plan to take advantage of favorable morning weather conditions to minimize fire spread to the east and west; focusing on the areas of Wingfield Road, Gold Run and Hidden Hills. Dry fuels north of the fire remain susceptible to ignition.
Last night firefighters stayed at the fire, fire behavior moderated, and crews were successful establishing new dozer line.
As of today, no additional structure loss has been reported.
Slightly hotter and drier conditions are forecast today with south to southwest winds becoming gusty in the afternoon and evening hours. Some high-level cloudiness is expected to arrive this evening.
Smoke may be thick in valleys and canyons north and east of the fire. Fire and smoke maps are available at https://fire.airnow.gov/.
Updated 8:40a.m. Overnight mapping now shows the Sheep Fire at 15,776 acres
Updated Saturday 8:29a.m. Community Meeting
There will be a Community Informational Meeting today, August 22nd, at the Community Church, 1400 Numa Road in Susanville.
The meeting will be held at 11:00a.m., and attendees will be required to wear masks.
The meeting will also be streamed live on the church’s Facebook page and YouTube channel or you can follow this link.
Updated 9:35p.m. The Sheep Fire grew to 11,000 acres today according to the evening report from Incident Command on the fire.
Currently there are 15 dozers, 36 engines, 2 hand crews, 2 helicopters and 12 water tenders. Additional resources have been ordered.
According to the IC firefighters and resources will work throughout the night to protect structures and hold established firelines.
Expanded evacuation orders and warnings were enacted due to extreme fire behavior.
Strong winds pushed the fire toward Peter Lassen’s Grave and the upper Cheney Creek and Gold Run drainage, moving toward Susan Hills.
Crews will work through the night to protect structures and hold fire lines. A Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) DC-10 was in the area to assist but heavy smoke hindered efforts to utilize this and other aerial resources. Engines, bulldozers, crews and two helicopters were available to assist.
The Sheep Fire is expected to remain active this evening until the early morning hours. Lows are expected to range between 44 and 61 degrees. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable.
Updated 9:32p.m. A new Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for all residences in the Susan Hills subdivision.
Updated 9:24p.m. A new Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for residences along the dirt portion of Susan Hills Drive west of the water towers.
Updated 3:30p.m. The Richmond Road closure has been moved from Gold Run Road to just east of Gem Road.
Effective immediately, a mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for residents along Gold Crest Lane.
Updated 2:36p.m. Evacuations Warnings have been issued for:
- Susan Hills Area from Susan Hills Drive to Gold Run Road including Bauer Road.
- Wingfield Road from Mountain Meadow Ranch east to the end of the pavement.
All previous evacuation warnings, orders and road closures are still in place.
Updated 2:21p.m. Law enforcement is going door to door in the Susan Hills area warning residents to be prepared to evacuate after the Sheep Fire again became very active on it’s western flank.
Reports indicate the fire is flaring up near Tweddel Road and is burning on the north side of Gold Run, driven by west winds.
Mandatory evacuations have also been expanded on the fire’s eastern flank near Peter Lassen’s monument on Wingfield Road.
Updated 1:15p.m.
From the Lassen County Sheriff Dean Growdon: “The LCSO worked with other agencies this morning to conduct assessments of the burned area and have confirmed that two structures have been lost due to the Sheep Fire. The property owners have been notified. Although it is difficult to survey every square foot within the perimeter of the fire, if you have not received notification otherwise, your structure is in all likelihood still standing.”
Updated 1:01p.m. Community Meeting
There will be a Community Informational Meeting on Saturday, August 22nd, at the Community Church, 1400 Numa Road in Susanville.
The meeting will be held at 11:00a.m., and attendees will be required to wear masks.
The meeting will also be streamed live on the church’s Facebook page and YouTube channel or you can follow this link.
Updated 10:25a.m. According to the Interagency Incident Management Team managing the blaze, the Sheep Fire moderated overnight allowing crews to make considerable progress constructing dozer line in the areas of Golden Lane, Amesbury, Jura Road and Old Archery and Scotts Logging Roads.
This followed yesterday’s spread of the fire northwest into the front-country and into the flats moving into subdivisions near the golf course.
Crews were able to defend the structures in those neighborhoods and push the fire back and hold the line without losing any additional structures.
Crews around the south and west sides of the fire took advantage of the favorable weather to push the fire back from the lines and halting the fire spread.
The California Incident Management Team 1 is working closely and coordinating resources with CalFire on this fire.
Today, crews will work on the east side of the fire, building fire line, and continuing structure protection. Resources include 15 dozers, 36 engines, 2 hand crews and 2 helicopters, 12 water tenders.
Updated 10:11a.m. – Current Evacuation Information
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS
Both sides of Gold Run Road from Richmond Road west to the end of Gold Run including Gunderson Road and Hidden Hills Drive.
Amesbury Drive beginning at Gold Run Road and encompassing all roads south including Jura Road, Juro Road, Hill Creek Road and Morningstar Road.
Residents along the south side of Richmond Road from Circle Drive to Deforest Drive and Wingfield Road from Richmond Road to Mountain Meadow Ranch but not including Mountain Meadow Ranch and all roads accessed by Wingfield Road to that point.
Old Archery Road, Old Scotts Logging Road, Childrens Road, and Oak Mountain Drive.
The south side of Richmond Road from Gold Run Road to Wingfield Road. This includes Circle Drive, Fairway Drive, Eagle Drive, Circle Court, Oaks Mountain Drive and the West Side of Wingfield Road, Haven Lane and Four Oaks Drive.
EVACUATION WARNING
An Evacuation Warning has been issued for the north side of Richmond Road from Gold Run Road to Singletree Lane including Singletree Lane.
Updated Friday, 8:45a.m. Sheriff Dean Growdon is confirming this morning that structures have been lost and Deputies are currently doing an assessment.
Updated 9:36p.m.
The Sheep Fire has grown to 5,286 acres this evening, with officials saying three residences have been lost and hundreds more threatened. There is no containment or estimated time of containment.
The fire grew today towards Susanville and impacted residences along Gold Run Road just north of the Lassen/Plumas County Line.
Crews worked aggressively to build fire line while providing structure protection.
Though temperatures were cooler, crews had to contend with strong gusty winds.
The steep terrain is making fire suppression difficult as is the lack of available resources due to other fires throughout the state.
Crews will continue to build and strengthen fire line tonight and continue with structure protection. Resources include: 15 dozers, 36 engines, 2 hand crews and 2 helicopters.
Crews will continue to be active overnight protecting structures, building line, and treating spot fires.
One injury was reported on the fire today but no details were provided by the Incident Command.
Updated 6:41p.m.
A Mandatory Evacuation Order is currently in effect for the following:
- Both sides of Gold Run Road from Richmond Road west to the end of Gold Run including Gunderson Road and Hidden Hills Drive.
- Amesbury Drive beginning at Gold Run Road and encompassing all roads south including Jura Road, Juro Road, Hill Creek Road and Morningstar Road.
- Residents along Richmond Road from Gold Run Road to Singletree Lane but not including Singletree Lane and Wingfield Road from Richmond Road to Mountain Meadow Ranch but not including Mountain Meadow Ranch.
- Old Archery Road, Old Scotts Logging Road, Childrens Road, and Oak Mountain Drive.
- The south side of Richmond Road from Gold Run Road to Wingfield Road. This includes Circle Drive, Fairway Drive, Eagle Drive, Circle Court, Oaks Mountain Drive and the West Side of Wingfield Road, Haven Lane and Four Oaks Drive.
An Evacuation Warning has been issued for Singletree Lane.
Road Closures: All of Gold Run Road is closed and Richmond Road is closed from Singletree Lane to Gold Run Road
Updated 3:42p.m. a Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for residents along Richmond Road from Gold Run Road to Singletree Lane and Wingfield Road from Richmond Road to Mountain Meadow Ranch but not including Mountain Meadows Ranch.
An Evacuation Warning has been issued for residents on Singletree Lane.
Effective immediately, an Evacuation Warning has been issued for residents on the south side of Gold Run Road west of Richmond Road to Gunderson Road.
Updated 3:01p.m. People need to leave the evacuated area. Please use caution and be courteous to your neighbors. Drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel. Residents needing assistance evacuating are asked to call the non-emergency dispatch center at (530)257-6121.
If you are in need of shelter for yourself or your animals, including large animals, please call the Emergency Shelter line at (530)250-9088.
An emergency Shelter will be set up at Lassen Community College at 4pm today. Large animals can be housed at the Lassen County Fairgrounds. Check in at the Fair office on Russell Drive first before 5pm.
After 5pm, call the Emergency Shelter Line. Liability, feed, and care of large animals is the sole responsibility of the animal’s owner. Deputies will be going door to door to make notification.
Updated 2:10p.m. Effective immediately, a Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for residents along the north side of Gold Run Road from Richmond Road west to the end of Gold Run including Gunderson Road and Hidden Hills Drive.
Effective immediately, an Evacuation Warning has been issued for residents along Richmond Road from Gold Run Road to Singletree Lane and Wingfield Road from Richmond Road to Mountain Meadow Ranch.
All other evacuation warnings and orders are still in effect
Updated 9:58a.m.
Smoke and wind remain the primary weather concerns for today with widespread air quality issues and fire weather concerns. Some cooling overnight will provide relief from the heat for the end of the week. After a couple dry days, thunderstorms will likely return to the eastern Sierra and western Nevada by Sunday and continue into early next week.
Other fires in the North Complex remained active overnight.
The Claremont Fire is south of Quincy and north of Middle Fork Feather River and west of La Porte Road. The fire spread down to the La Porte Road last night. Firefighters protected structures due to spot fires that crossed a dozer line. They will continue to protect structures today in the area as well as continue to attack spot fires.
The Iron fire is located southwest of Taylorsville north of Emigrant Pass and west of China Grade Road. It is about 50 acres and in heavy timber fuel. Crews are building dozers and hand line today.
Firefighters will be focused on the large fires today as well as providing initial attack on any new fires that pop-up.
Updated 7:55a.m. As of this morning at 6:00, California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 has assumed command of the North Complex.
Largest Fires in the North Complex (approximately 8,600 combined acres):
Sheep Fire: 7,000 acres, 0% contained
Claremont Fire: 1,500+ acres, 0% contained
Bear Fire: 30 acres, 0% contained
Thursday, 7:45a.m. According to the latest mapping from Plumas National Forest the North Complex fires have burned 8,600 acres. 7,000 acres of that is the Sheep fire, currently threatening homes in the Gold Run and Golf Course areas. The Sheep Fire is currently 0% contained.
The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to stay out of the areas under evacuation order or warning. Please avoid all unnecessary travel on Richmond Road from Diamond View School To Richmond School.
It is imperative that emergency personnel and residents trying to evacuate are able to access those roads. If you must drive in that area, turn your headlights on, drive slowly, and yield to emergency personnel.
Evacuations
A Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for the south side of Richmond Road from Gold Run Road to Wingfield Road. This includes Circle Drive, Fairway Drive, Eagle Drive, Circle Court, Oaks Mountain Drive and the West Side of Wingfield Road, Haven Lane and Four Oaks Drive.
A Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for all residences on Amesbury Drive beginning at Gold Run Road and encompassing all roads south including Jura Road, Juro Road, Hill Creek Road and Morningstar Road.
An Evacuation Warning has been issued for Wingfield Road from Richmond Road south to Peter Lassen’s Grave.
A Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for residents along Gold Run Road from Amesbury Drive west to the end of Gold Run.
A Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for all residences on Old Archery Road, Old Scotts Logging Road, Childrens Road, and Oak Mountain Drive.
An Evacuation Warning has been issued for residents along Gold Run Road west of Gunderson Road west to Amesbury Drive.
An Evacuation Warning has been issued for residents on the north side of Gold Run Road west of Richmond Road to Gunderson Road.
SAFETY MESSAGE: Be aware that changing conditions in fire activity may cause this area to escalate to an Evacuation Order at any time. Be aware that traffic interruptions may exist due to emergency personnel working in the area.
The following ten items are recommended if you have time to gather them in the event of an evacuation:
- Pets
- Identification (including proof of residence in the event that you are evacuating a location different from the one listed on your photo ID)
- Cash and credit cards
- Important documents like birth and marriage certificates, social security cards, property deeds, insurance paperwork, etc.
- Keys to home, vehicles, office, storage units, and safe deposit boxes.
- Any needed medications or medical supplies for you, family members, and pets
- Basic hygiene supplies
- Basic supplies like food, clothing, and jackets for each family member, flashlights, batteries, a hand crank radio and sleeping bags or blankets
- Small electronics and chargers
What is burning?
The North Complex consists of a group of lightning fires on the Plumas National Forest being managed as one incident. The complex of lightning fires were ignited during the lightning storm that moved over the area on the morning of August 17th.
The fires are located near Fleming Sheep Camp, to the southwest of Red Rock Lookout, in the northern Plumas National Forest.
The complex is currently comprised of 7 different fires. The three largest fires include the Sheep Fire, Fleming Fire, and Willard Fire. These three fires are burning in rugged, inaccessible terrain to the south of the Diamond Mountain ridge.
The remaining fires in the complex were contained at 6 acres or less.
