July 27, 2010 — CONSTANTIA FIRE — The largest fire currently burning in Lassen County is the Constantia Complex, located in the Constantia community near Doyle. The fire has been held at 1,700 acres since Monday, July 26, and is currently at 50 percent containment. Structure protection engines are in place. Three structures were lost in the Constantia community on Sunday, July 25, as well as some parked vehicles and out buildings on private land.The Lassen County Sheriff's Office's evacuation warning was lifted in the evening of Sunday, July 25, 

Fire crews were successful in completing a fire line around the perimeter of the fire, although the fire is still moving farther south west into the Plumas National Forest.

The Red Flag Warning in affect on Monday was cancelled at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 26.

RUSSELL COMPLEX — As of 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 27, the Russell Complex south east of Little Valley has burned roughly 250 acres, and officials from the Lassen, Modoc, Plumas Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said it is approximately 50 percent contained. The fire, one of several in the county caused by lightning strikes on Sunday, July 25, still has no expected containment date, although Cal Fire officials said fire crews were able to make good progress on the complex on Monday, July 26.

the complex currently includes nine fires, all burning timber, juniper and vrush. Warm temperatures, gustywinds and rugged terrain challenged firefighting efforts, but resources were able to hold the fires at 250 acres. Additional lightning caused fries from thunderstorms that came through the region caused more fires, but they were quickly contained thanks to coordinated efforts between air and ground units.

Cal Fire officials said today's weather is calling for the possibilty of additional thunder storms and dry lightning. Fire personnel are working to strengthen control lines and patrol the area for any new fires. In addition to resources on the fire line, county fire rsonnel are staged in various areas around the county.

Cal Fire is warning motorists that because of the quantity of fire apparatus and equipment on the roadway, they should be extra cautious during the fire actvity.

 OTHER FIRES — Firefighters from numerous agencies have been on the move across northeastern California since Saturday afternoon, responding to more than 75 fires caused by lightning strikes.  The Susanville Interagency Fire Center expects to continue dispatching firefighting resources through the week as new fires are detected and work continues on older fires.

Keep checking lassennews.com for updates on the current fire activity in the county.