Update on lightning fires on Plumas National Forest

Thunderstorms across the Plumas National Forest Thursday brought abundant lightning and some areas of heavy rain across the Forest.  The heaviest lightning was observed on the Beckwourth Ranger District.

Since Thursday night, firefighters on the Beckwourth Ranger District have responded to eight confirmed lightning fires.  Six of the fires are a tenth of an acre, with five controlled and in patrol status and one staffed with firefighting resources.

The largest of the eight confirmed fires is the Conklin Fire estimated to be just over a quarter acre in the Conklin Park Campground area.  The fire is now contained and is expected to be controlled and in patrol status later Friday evening.

Firefighters are currently responding to the most recent fire reported just before 5 p.m. Thursday in the Frazier Falls area.

At this time, there are no confirmed lightning fires reported on the Feather River or Mount Hough Ranger Districts.

There are no evacuations or structures threatened at this time, with most of the fires burning in remote areas.

There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the area Friday evening ahead of a drying trend with increasing temperatures and periods of gusty winds later this weekend.

Holdover lightning fires can smolder for days and even weeks following a thunderstorm.  After a wet thunderstorm, it can take several days of dry and warm weather for these fires to become visible.

Firefighters will continue to monitor conditions and respond to lightning fires as they are discovered in the coming days.

There are numerous local and visiting wildland firefighting resources assigned to the Plumas National Forest prepared to respond to wildfires as needed.  Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority this fire season.

Area residents and visitors are asked to be careful with anything that can spark a wildfire and to help prevent additional fires.  The public can also report suspected wildfires by calling 911.

For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at facebook.com/USFSPlumas.

About the Forest Service
The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation.  Grounded in world-class science and technology and rooted in communities, the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other.  The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological and social vitality.  The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world.  The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which more than 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.