Dixie Fire burns 735,064 acres, 45 percent contained
As of Wednesday morning, Aug. 25, the Dixie Fire has burned 735,064 acres and is 45 percent contained.
According to Mark Brunton, West Zone Operations Section Chief, for the Westwod Sector, the the west side around Lake Almanor continues to look good and crews patrol the area, some calls for service continue for smoke, but nothing of significance. Heavy mop up continues in the Duffy Group area, and the finger closest to Susanville continues to turn black on the map.
In the Janesville, there is still good success and crews are in a heavy mop up area from Janesville to Milford area. “We are making significant progress.”
The most active portion of the fire in the West Zone is the Lassen Sector of the fire around Lassen Volcanic National Park area.
Additionally, according to the written update, winds continued throughout the night keeping the fire active. Humidity levels did rise in areas of the fire reducing spotting except along the mid slopes where poor recoveries in the thermal belts were experienced.
Smoke settled over the fire in the early morning hours, however, moderating fire activity. SW winds are again forecasted with temperatures in the 80s.
Certain evacuation orders have been reduced to warnings and certain warnings have been lifted allowing some residents to return to their homes and businesses. Returning residents are strongly encouraged to stay vigilant with regard to current fire conditions. Residents may see smoke coming from trees and stumps for days following their return. Residents are encouraged to call 911 if they are concerned about any active flames near their homes or businesses rather than attempting to deal with such flames themselves.
In the East Zone, which has become the most active portion of the fire there was a small slop-over between the road and Antelope Lake that firefighters were able to catch and line. Between Antelope Lake and Genesee Valley the fire continues to back down the slope towards the road.
Yesterday dozers and crews worked at trying to stop southward progression by the Walker slop-over and were supported by aviation assets, they will continue line construction east today. Late in the day the Grizzly fire produced two spot fires too the east between the Walker slop-over and the Grizzly spot and these were visible from Quincy. Overnight they grew together and are estimated to be around 500 acres in size and are connected to the the main spot.
Today crews and aircraft will continue to work at in keeping the Grizzly spot from moving south and heavy machinery will work on indirect control lines down Grizzly Ridge. An extensive plumbing operation was carried out in Taylorsville and hose lines and water have now been run to every house in the community. In Peters Creek work continued to improve and strengthen lines and mop-up. Structure preparation continues in the Five Bears and Ward Creek area. Firefighters continued to conduct heavy mop-up activity in the Dyer Mountain area to secure the line.
