For questions about whether your address is under mandatory, warning, or lifted status, please call (530) 316-4487.
Updated 10:02a.m. As of 10:00a.m., the following Evacuation Warnings are lifted:
Highway 36 from Harris Drive west to Devil’s Corral and all road accessed by Highway 36.
County Road A-1 to Lake Forest Estates and all roads accessed by A-1 to that point.
Updated Friday 9:08a.m. Morning Update – Acres: 29,410 Contained: 30%
Resources: 24 dozers, 91 engines, 10 hand crews, 8 helicopters, 24 water tenders, 4 other heavy equipment, and 684 total personnel.
Crews continue to construct fireline, improve existing lines and mop up today, in addition to improving roads to contain the southern, western and northern sections of the Sheep Fire.
Fire activity yesterday was mild as compared to previous days, despite isolated thunderstorms over the fire area.
On the east flank, crews worked to strengthen the fireline established Wednesday.
The west flank of the fire continues from Cheney Creek to Roxie Peconom Road, and then southwest toward the heel of the fire in the area of Indicator Peak.
Updated 9:42p.m. Acres: 28,980 Contained: 16%
Resources: 24 dozers, 91 engines, 10 hand crews, 8 helicopters, 24 water tenders, 4 other heavy equipment, and 684 total personnel.
Current Situation: Today, crews continued to strengthen and mop up existing firelines. Though there were some isolated thunderstorms, fire activity was mild as compared to previous days.
A strategic firing operation was conducted this morning on the northwest flank, and another will be conducted this evening to further secure this section of line. Tonight, in addition to the firing operation, crews will continue to strengthen and mop up firelines while continuing to provide structure protection, if needed.
Updated 10:41a.m. Crews worked throughout the night building new fireline and strengthening and mopping up existing line.
On the east flank, crews worked to strengthen the fireline established on Wednesday.
On the northwest flank, crews have constructed direct dozer line above Susan Hills all the way to Cheney Creek.
The west flank of the fire continues from Cheney Creek to Roxie Peconom Road.
Last night, crews were able to complete dozer line south and southwest on that flank, towards the heel of the fire in the area of Indicator Peak.
Today, crews will continue to strengthen and mop up all fire lines while continuing to provide structure protection.
Updated Thursday, 10:39a.m. The following Mandatory Evacuation Orders have been downgraded to an Evacuation Warning:
Dirt Wingfield Road to Baxter Creek Road but not including Baxter Creek Road.
Elysian Valley Road, Indians Road, and all connecting roads.
Updated 8:25p.m. Acres: 28,980 Contained: 16%
Resources: 20 dozers, 95 engines, 10 handcrews, 8 helicopters, 24 water tenders, and 668 total personnel.
Current Situation: Crews worked throughout the day strengthening fire lines on the east and west flanks of the fire. On the east flank (Division H), crews worked to strengthen the fire line established yesterday.
This line runs from Circle Drive around the northeast end of the fire. It extends from Diamond Mountain Motorway to the escarpment and to the top of Diamond Mountain.
On the northwest flank (Divisions F), crews constructed direct dozer line above Susan Hills all the way to Cheney Creek.
On the west flank (Division D) they continued from Cheney Creek to Roxie Peconom Road. Crews worked towards the heel of the fire on south and southwest flank, in the area of Indicator Peak.
At 4:30 p.m., a flare up occurred in the Bass Hill – Diane Drive area. Air tankers, helicopters, and ground resources were diverted to that area and additional evacuations were ordered.
Dry fuels, steep terrain, falling snags and downhill rolling rocks are challenging firefighting efforts.
Tonight, crews will continue to secure and strengthen both flanks of the fire while providing structure protection.
Updated 6:10p.m. The Mandatory Evacuation at Diane Drive has been lifted.
Updated 4:54p.m. A Mandatory Evacuation order has been issued for the following areas:
• The North Side Diane Drive.
Updated 3:00p.m. The following area has been downgraded from an Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Warning:
Susan Hills area from Gold Crest Lane to Bauer Road and including Bauer Road.
Updated 1:05p.m. EVACUATION ORDERS DOWNGRADED FOR SOME AREAS
The following areas have been downgraded from an Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Warning:
- Bass Hill Road.
- Wingfield Road East from Bass Hill Road to Wingfield Road East NOT including Elysian Valley Road, Indians Road, Walking Stick Lane, or Wingfield Road from Bass Hill Road to Old Archery Road.
The following Evacuation Warnings are lifted for the following areas:
- The north side of Highway 36 from Harris Drive west to Devil’s Corral and all roads accessed by Highway 36 including County Road A-1 to Lake Forest Estates.
- The south side of Johnstonville Road from the Intersection at Hwy 36 and Hwy 395 North to Airport Road.
Updated Wednesday, 9:28a.m. The Sheep Fire is now mapped at 28,903 acres with 19 dozers, 92 engines, 7 handcrews, 8 helicopters, 22 water tenders and 585 total personnel on the fire. Currently the Sheep Fire is only 3% contained with no estimated time of containment.
Crews worked throughout the night strengthening fire lines on the east and west flanks of the fire. On the east flank, crews worked to strengthen the fire line established yesterday. The steepest part of that line is challenging crews who have to contend with falling snags and downhill rolling rocks.
On the west flank, crews were able to establish line from Susanville to within two miles of the Roxie Peconom Road. Today, crews will continue to push south and southwest on that flank, towards the heel of the fire. Once that is complete, they will focus on the Willard Creek drainage.
Today, crews will continue to secure and strengthen both flanks of the fire while providing structure protection.
Updated 10:08p.m. The Sheep Fire is holding at 27,411 acres this evening with 3% containment according to fire officials.
To date, the fire has destroyed 9 homes, damaged 1 and threatened 2,000 residences.
There are currently 19 dozers, 92 engines, 7 hand crews, 8 helicopters, 22 water tenders and 585 total personnel on the Sheep Fire.
According to the evening update crews worked throughout the day strengthening fire lines on the east and west flanks of the fire.
On the east flank, crews strengthened the fire line established last night. This line extends to Diamond Mountain Motorway to the escarpment and to the top of Diamond Mountain.
Crews are also constructing a contingency line above Elysian Valley.
On the west flank, crews continued constructing and strengthening the dozer line in the Cheney Creek drainage and into the old Willard Fire burn scar, west of Susanville.
Cooler temperatures and higher humidities gave the firefighters the break they needed to focus on existing fire lines. Dry fuels, steep terrain and strong winds continue to challenge firefighting efforts.
Tonight, crews will continue their work on both flanks of the fire while providing structure protection.
Updated 3:00p.m. The following areas have been downgraded to an Evacuation Warning only:
Old Archery Road, Old Scotts Logging Road, Childrens Road, and Oak Mountain Drive.
Both side of Gold Run Road west of Richmond Road including all roads accessed by Gold Run but NOT including Cheney Creek or Gold Crest Lane.
Updated 12:51p.m. Effective immediately, the evacuation for the Gem, Pearl, Sapphire, Opal and Emerald residential Subdivision has been downgraded to a warning only. Residents may return to their homes, but need to be aware the fire can show erratic behavior and can change evacuation status rapidly.
According to Police Chief Kevin Jones the Police Department will continue to show a presence of in the area while people repopulate the neighborhood. They expect an increase in traffic in this area, please take caution as you return to your homes.
Updated 10:42a.m. Effective immediately, the following areas have been downgraded to an Evacuation Warning only:
Both side of Gold Run Road from Richmond Road up to Amesbury Drive including Gunderson Road and Hidden Hills Drive but NOT including Gold Crest Road and Nugget.
Amesbury Drive beginning at Gold Run Road and encompassing all roads south including Jura Drive, Juro Drive, Hill Creek Road and Morningstar Drive.
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 Gem Drive will be turned around.
3. The traffic control point located at just west of Circle Drive.
4. You will be asked to show proof of residence at the traffic control point located at Richmond Road and Deforest Drive.
5. Please use caution, reduce your speed, drive with your headlights on and yield to emergency personnel.
6. Just because the flames are out doesn’t mean the danger is over. Damaged trees, structural damage, and flash flooding are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire. DO NOT put yourself or your loved ones in danger by exploring. Expect to see hotspots for some time. Do not call 911 to report unless there is an immediate threat to life or property.
Updated 10:05a.m. The Advisory Evacuation warning for residents west of Richmond Rd. from Hospital Ln. to Mill St. has been lifted.
This does NOT include the subdivision of Pearl, Gem, Opal and Sapphire Streets which is still under mandatory evacuation.
The City is currently working with CalFire and the Office of Emergency Services and will provide an update when one becomes available.
Updated Tuesday, 9:56a.m. According to Incident Command the fire moderated overnight and a light rain fell across the fire area, lowering humidities, and allowing crews to make good progress.
Crews worked throughout the night constructing and strengthening dozer line on the east and west flanks of the fire.
On the east flank, crews made good progress in their work on the line extending to Diamond Mountain Motorway to the escarpment and to the top of Diamond Mountain.
Today, they will work to strengthen and secure this line.
On the west flank, crews continued constructing line in the Cheney Creek drainage and into the old Willard Fire burn scar, west of Susanville. They were able to build a contingency line ahead of the fire and are now “going direct”; working on the fire’s edge.
Cooler temperatures are expected again today, but thunderstorms in the forecast and unpredictable winds remain a concern.
Dry fuels, steep terrain and strong winds continue to challenge firefighting efforts. Today, crews will continue to secure and strengthen both flanks of the fire while providing structure protection. To date, the Sheep Fire has destroyed 8 residences and damaged 1 residence.
Updated 8:53p.m. The Sheep Fire grew to 27,411 acres today. Burning across a wide swath of the Honey Lake Valley from Susanville to near Janesville. The fire has become one of the most destructive wildfires in the valley’s history.
At this time there are 20 dozers, 72 engines, 7 hand crews, 8 helicopters, 16 water tenders and 484 total personnel working the fire.
According to the Incident Command’s evening update crews worked throughout the day constructing and strengthening dozer line on the east and west flanks of the fire.
On the east flank, crews worked to extend the fire line to Diamond Mountain Motorway. From this point they will continue to build fire line up to the escarpment to the top of Diamond Mountain.
On the west flank, line was constructed in the Cheney Creek drainage and into the old Willard Fire burn scar, west of Susanville.
Smoke cleared enough today for fixed wing aircraft to drop retardant at the upper end of the east flank near the motorway to support ground crew’s efforts.
Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidities aided crews in their work, but thunderstorms in the forecast and unpredictable winds remain a concern.
This evening, crews will continue to secure and strengthen both flanks of the fire while providing structure protection. Dry fuels, steep terrain and strong winds continue to challenge firefighting efforts.
Updated 4:05p.m. Air support has been pulled off the fire because of low visibility.
Updated 1:47p.m. A massive air attack is underway near the eastern flank of the fire. Tanker after tanker have been making drops of retardant near Happy Valley Ranch and the Baxter Creek area.
On the western flank of the fire helicopters are working on hot spots west of the Susan Hills subdivision.
Updated Monday 10:00a.m.
The 25,574 acre Sheep Fire burned actively yesterday afternoon and into the evening making several downhill runs, including a significant run on the east side in the Wingfield Road area.
Crews were able to keep it from encroaching into the Diane Drive area and stop it on Highway 395.
Overnight detection of spotting east of Hwy 395 and south of Lake Leavitt were caught and will be monitored.
On the northwest side of the fire, crews were able to keep the fire out of Gold Run, Hidden Hills, Susan Hills, and the Susanville City Limits.
According to the Incident Command’s morning update there were no reported structure losses from yesterday.
Today, crews will continue to establish and reinforce existing fire line.
The dry fuels, low humidities, and steep terrain and strong winds continue to challenge firefighting efforts.
The following Mandatory Evacuation Orders are still in effect for the following areas:
- Gem Drive, Pearl Circle, and all roads accessed by those roads.
- Susan Hills area from Gold Run Road to Bauer Road and including Bauer Road.
- Both sides of Gold Run Road and all roads accessed by Gold Run.
- Amesbury Drive beginning at Gold Run Road and encompassing all roads south including Jura Road, Juro Road, Hill Creek Road and Morningstar Road.
- Everything south of Richmond Road to Highway 395 and all roads in between
- Everything west of Elysian Valley Road and Wingfield Road including all connecting roads.
- 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.
- Old Archery Road, Old Scotts Logging Road, Childrens Road, and Oak Mountain Drive. The south side of Richmond Road from Gold Run Road to Circle Drive.
An Evacuation Warning has been issued for the following areas:
- Cable Line Road and all roads accessed by Cable Line
- West of Richmond Road Beginning at Hospital Lane extending to Mill Street.
- Highway 36 from Harris Drive west to Devil’s Corral and all road accessed by Highway 36.
- County Road A-1 to Lake Forest Estates and all roads accessed by A-1 to that point.
- Sunnyside Road from Hwy 395 to County Road A-3.
- Everything West of Highway 395 from Richmond Road to Janesville Grade and all roads in between.
- Main Street Janesville from Highway 395 to Janesville Grade and all roads accessed by Main Street Janesville.
- Main Street Janesville from Highway 395 to Janesville Grade and all roads accessed by Main Street Janesville.
- The north side of Richmond Road from Gold Run Road to Singletree Lane including Singletree Lane.
Road Closures:
All of Gold Run Road is closed
Wingfield Road is closed from just beyond Four Oaks Drive to Janesville
Richmond Road is closed from just past Circle Drive to Hospital Lane.
Highway 395 is open without restrictions
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.
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
This is live, comprehensive coverage of a breaking news event. This post will be updated as new information becomes available.
