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Updated Monday, July 12th, at 12:11a.m. – The Beckwourth Complex has grown to 86,076 Acres and is 20% contained according to Incident Command.
Updated 7:16p.m. The Mandatory Evacuation Order for Milford from Milford Grade to A25 on the west side of US 395 has been reduced to a warning. Be aware that changing conditions in fire activity may cause this area to escalate to an Evacuation Order at any time.
The following areas remain under Mandatory Evacuation Order:
• Everything west of US 395 from the intersection of County Road A25 and US 395 south to the Lassen/Sierra County Line and the town of Doyle east of US 395 including Doyle Loop and all roads connecting to Doyle Loop and Hackstaff Road to Laver Crossing
Evacuation Warnings are in effect for residents east and west of US 395 from Milford Grade to County Road A26 Herlong Access Road, including the town of Herlong south to the Sierra/Lassen County line.
Updated 5:15p.m. The California Highway Patrol has reopened 395 in both directions.
Updated 1:45p.m. Mandatory evacuation have been expanded to include:
• The town of Milford from County Road A25 to Milford Grade on the west side of US 395 only but NOT including residences along Milford Grade.
• Everything west of US 395 from the intersection of County Road A25 and US 395 south to the Lassen/Sierra County Line and the town of Doyle east of US 395 including Doyle Loop and all roads connecting to Doyle Loop and Hackstaff Road to Laver Crossing
Evacuation Warnings have been expanded to include east of US 395 from Milford Grade to County Road A26 Herlong Access Road, including the town of Herlong south to the Sierra/Lassen County line.
Updated 1:15p.m. Highway 395 has been closed again because of the fire.
Updated 9:34a.m. Doyle Fire Department is reporting approximately 20 homes lost in Doyle. Affected residents can contact the Red Cross at 844-236-0153.
Updated 9:17a.m. According to the morning update from Incident Command the Beckwourth Complex of fires has grown to 83,926 acres in size and is currently 8% contained. Estimated containment is Friday July 30th.
Direct and indirect line construction continues along the flanks of the fire. Resources continue to evaluate an provide point protection for Constantia and the State Hwy corridor.
Sunday’s Projected Incident Activity
The conditions will be similar to yesterday. Expect a moderate risk burn environment due to higher temperatures, low humidity and highly receptive fuels. Expect higher ridge top winds (SW 15 mph, G24). Once the inversion lifts at approximately 10 a.m. fire activity will increase. Poor to moderate overnight recoveries will continue to keep fuels receptive.
A Haines of 6 will introduce a dry air mass to the fire environment. Local thresholds will be exceeded. East of the escarpment, fuels will transition to annual grass and sage brush.
Anticipate a faster rate of fire spread, flame lengths and increased spotting potential. Expect comparable fire behavior as yesterday in divisions to the North and East.
Updated 9:11a.m. US395 has been reopened to through traffic. Please be aware of emergency personnel in the Doyle area. The fire is active and conditions can change. CHP is actively monitoring the 395 corridor.
According to Lassen County Sheriff Dean Growdon roads in the Mandatory Evacuation area are still closed.
“Please do not attempt to access the affected areas. They are under 24-hour patrol and will remain so until evacuation orders have been lifted. If you have chosen to shelter in place, you are restricted to your residence only. Once you leave your property, you will not be allowed back in until evacuation orders have been lifted. It is imperative that emergency vehicles maintain unimpeded access to the evacuated areas to remove hazards such as downed power lines. While we sympathize with people who want to check on their property, animals, and neighbors, your presence will slow the process of getting people back into their homes. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Updated 8:36a.m. – Information from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office
A significant wind event drove the fire down into Doyle on Saturday, July 10th, triggering the rapid evacuation of Doyle. Unfortunately, there was some structure loss. An inspection team is working to make a structure loss assessment for permitted structures and will make notification to property owners. Please be patient as this process can take time to complete. It is critical that people stay out of the area due to hazardous conditions. If you are aware of any persons that are unaccounted for, please notify the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office at (530)257-6121.
Due to interruptions in cell service and internet, the Sheriff’s Office is recommending that people use the mobile alert app for Code Red on their smart phones as they seem to be going through even for people with no cell service. The app can be downloaded on Google Play and the Apple Store. If you are unable to register your rural address, try using a nearby landmark.
During evacuation events it is important to understand that things can escalate quickly. When you are placed under evacuation warning, you need to prepare to leave. Pack your vehicle and back it into your driveway. If you have pets or livestock, make arrangements to move them early. If you will need help evacuating, leave early. For information on what to bring with you in the event of an evacuation, go to www.readyforwildfire.org.
EVACUATION WARNINGS AND ORDERS CURRENTLY IN PLACE:
Map link to affected areas: Click on the link below and answer “skip” to the prompts. Red areas are under order, yellow areas are under warning. https://community.zonehaven.com/?latlon=39.89680665196789,-120.14401707393637&z=9.389697214143084
A Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for: Everything west of US 395 from the intersection of County Road A25 and US 395 south to the Lassen/Sierra County Line and the town of Doyle east of US 395 including Doyle Loop and all roads connecting to Doyle Loop and Hackstaff Road to Laver Crossing
Evacuation Warnings have been issued for residents east of US 395 from County Road A25 Herlong Access Road, including the town of Herlong south to the Sierra/Lassen County line and the town of Milford from Milford grade south and everything in between.
ROAD CLOSURE: US 395 is closed from Hallelujah Junction to County Road A26
Updated Sunday 6:17a.m. Here is a map of the fire as of around 2:00a.m. Sunday morning. Click on the image for a much larger version.
Updated 5:01p.m. EXPANDED EVACUATION ORDERS – Milford area now under Evacuation Warning.
A Mandatory Evacuation Order has been expanded to include:
Everything west of US 395 from the intersection of County Road A25 and US 395 south to the Lassen/Sierra County Line and the town of Doyle east
of US 395 including Doyle Loop and all roads connecting to Doyle Loop and Hackstaff Road to Laver Crossing
Evacuation Warnings have been extended for residents east of US 395 from County Road A25 including the town of Herlong south to the Sierra/Lassen County line and the town of Milford from Milford grade south and everything in between.
Updated 4:38p.m.
A Mandatory Evacuation Order has been expanded to include:
- Everything west of US 395 from the intersection of County Road A26 and US 395 south to the Lassen/Sierra County Line.
Evacuation Warnings have been extended for residents east of US 395 from County Road A25 including the town of Herlong, south to the Sierra/Lassen County line.
ROAD CLOSURE: US 395 is now closed
Shelter Information: Due to the ongoing mandatory evacuation orders for the Beckwourth Complex fire, a shelter will open today, at 6:00p.m. at Jensen Hall at the Lassen County Fairgrounds in Susanville. Those affected by the fire can also call the Emergency Shelter line at (530) 250-9004.
It is asked for anyone going to the shelter to bring their medication and medical equipment (walkers, breathing machines, etc.), clothing for multiple days, and important papers such as insurance cards. In addition, the shelter is not providing medical care. Any caretakers must accompany you for the duration of your stay. Please keep in mind weapons, drugs, alcohol and personal bedding are not permitted at the shelter.
Animals needing shelter can be housed at the Lassen County Fairgrounds. Liability, feed, security, and care of animals housed at the Fairgrounds are the sole responsibility of the animal’s owner. A check-in form will be available at the barns, please provide to the Fair Office during normal business hours. Please use the Paul Bunyan entrance to the Fairgrounds for sheltering animals in the barns. If you have any questions about animal sheltering, please contact Fair Manager, Kaitlyn Downing at (530) 588-8627.
Updated 4:13p.m. Firefighters and engines from fire districts across the valley have been dispatched to Doyle for structure protection.
Saturday 3:43p.m.
The Dotta Fire within the Beckwourth Complex exhibited no growth, while the Sugar Fire had intense growth of over 16,365 acres, progressing further northeast reaching Constantia Road, and spotting within one mile of Doyle Grade Road and triggering the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office to issue expanded evacuation orders.
Mandatory Evacuation Orders have been issued for the following areas in Lassen County as of 3:00p.m.
- Scott Road from Hwy 70 north to the end.
- North and south sides of Doyle Grade from the Lassen/Plumas County line east to the intersection of US 395 but not including Laura Drive.
- Doyle Grade where it intersects with US 395 south to Red Rock Road on the west side of US 395 only.
Evacuation Warnings have been issued for the following areas:
- Residents both east and west of US 395 from County Road A26 south to Doyle Grade and from Red Rock Road south to the Sierra/Lassen County line.
- Residents east of US 395 from where it intersects with Doyle Grade south to Red Rock road.
MAP LINK TO EVACUATED AREAS (choose the “skip” option when prompted to answer location questions and scroll in and out to zoom for road names): https://community.zonehaven.com/?latlon=39.89680665196789,-120.14401707393637&z=9.389697214143084
According to the morning update from the Incident Command significant resources are staged in the area for structure protection, which is currently under a mandatory evacuation order among several other communities. This extreme fire behavior is due to several factors coming alignment with critically dry and receptive fuels, hot temperatures, topography arrangement and southwest winds funneling through them.
After the inversion lifted yesterday afternoon, the fire developed a highly visible, large pyrocumulonimbus cloud, with reports of lightning on the east side of the fire.
Indirect bulldozer line was constructed in several areas for structure protection, focusing on the south/southeastern flank of the fire behind community of Chilcoot, and the northeastern flank below residences on Constantia Road. Additional areas on the northwestern flank of the fire were scouted for constructing indirect lines down toward Dixie Valley to box the main body of the fire in, taking into consideration how frequent the spotting behavior is.
During night operations, firefighters were successful in conducting strategic firing operations from bulldozer lines constructed on the south flank of the fire to guide fire back up into the main body of it.
High potential for extremely active fire behavior with group torching, long-range spotting and pyrocumulous clouds development with powerful downdrafts which also increases intensity of fire behavior.
Air operations are robust on this incident, including fixed and rotor wing. A night-flying helicopter is also available dedicated for any potential emergency firefighter extraction.
A damage assessment team has been ordered to validate reports of structures damaged/lost.
A virtual community meeting will be held this evening at 7:00 p.m. and streamed on the Plumas National Forest Facebook page.
Please check your local county’s social media pages for the latest on evacuations in your area, and be sure to register for your county’s CodeRed emergency alert system:
Plumas County
Lassen County
Washoe County
Evacuation centers:
Lassen County Fairgrounds: 195 Russel Ave. Susanville, CA.
Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center: 1350 N Wells Ave, Reno, NV.
Road Closures: There is a forest closure order in effect surrounding the fire’s perimeter, which includes several roads. Please monitor Caltrans’s website or Twitter feed for updated highway closure information.
Evacuation information for Lassen County residents:
If you are in need of shelter during the Beckwourth Complex Fire mandatory evacuations in Lassen County, please call the Emergency Shelter line at (530) 250-9004.
Animals needing shelter can be housed at the Lassen County Fairgrounds. Liability, feed, security, and care of animals housed at the Fairgrounds are the sole responsibility of the animal’s owner. A check-in form will be available at the barns, please provide to the Fair Office during normal business hours.
Please use the Paul Bunyan entrance to the Fairgrounds for sheltering animals in the barns. If you have any questions about animal sheltering, please contact Fair Manager, Kaitlyn Downing at (530) 588-8627.
This is continuing coverage of a breaking news story. This post will be updated as new information becomes available.
