Dixie Fire surpasses 800,000 acres; remains at 48 percent containment
As Red Flag conditions, southwest winds and low humidity conditions continue, more growth is expected in both the Dixie Fire East and West zones.
As of Tuesday morning, Aug. 31, the fire has burned 807,396 acres and remains at 48 percent containment.
According to Operations Section Chief Mike Wink, yesterday’s West Zone activity occurred around Branch 16 where the fire continued out of the Caribou Wilderness area, moving east and north. The movement prompted the road closure of A-21 to Old Station on Highway 44.
“It was getting too close to the road,” Wink said during the morning briefing, adding the fire has potential to spread and crews are making plans in case lines don’t hold the fire.
Wink said the fire train is moving to the area today to help fight the blaze.
Yesterday, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office issued a new evacuation order and warning for the area.
A new mandatory order was issued for:
• North of Hwy 44 from Forest Route 33NO2 east to County Rd A21 and north to Crater Lake Campground – Zones LAS-E035-F
A new evacuation warning was issued for:
• Antelope Mountain and Campbell Mountain area east of County Rd A21 and west of County Rd A1 – Zone LAS-E035-B and E035-I
There were also words of caution for the other side of the fire.
The spot near Genessee Valley made a several mile run yesterday toward the Milford direction. Wink noted extreme conditions were possible if the fire reaches the Escarpment and moves down to Highway 395, he warned the firefighters.
Yesterday evening, Lassen County Sheriff Dean Growdon recommended everyone along the Highway 395 corridor from southern Janesville to Doyle needs to have a plan in the event orders or warnings are issued, although he said the fire was still a ways out.
According to the East Zone update, Low relative humidity and Red Flag warnings will resume this morning and is forecasted to continue through this evening.
In the Mount Ingalls, Red Clover Creek areas, strong southwest winds will continue to increase fire activity as it did yesterday. Smoke plumes should again be visible for miles. Fire Crews shored up the dozer lines along Grizzly ridge as they firmly hold the line on the western side.
Contingency dozer lines are being constructed in the Squaw Queen Creek area to help drive the fire from the North Lake Davis area up into the Walker scar, where fuel loads are lighter. Mop up continues around the homes in Genesee Valley and into Taylorsville with tactical patrols, responding to any smoke reports, and actively looking for any hot spots. New contingency lines are being added between the fire, Greenhorn, Portola, and the communities further south all the way around North Lake Davis to protect the homes.