Weekend fire activity and lightning fires on Plumas National Forest
This weekend firefighters on the Plumas National Forest responded to two human-caused wildfires and are currently responding to numerous lightning fires as they are being discovered.
The largest of the human-caused wildfires was Saturday night, with the Lake Fire was reported at the Snake Lake Shooting Range. The fire was quickly contained and controlled at just over a quarter acre. The cause is under investigation.
Early Sunday afternoon there was a surge in thunderstorm activity with abundant lightning and some rain over all three ranger districts on the Plumas National Forest.
Lightning fires started being reported last night and more fires are being discovered this morning. There is an air reconnaissance flight scheduled today over the Forest.
There are currently no structures threatened or any evacuations for the lightning fires. Most of the fires are burning in remote areas.
Mount Hough Ranger District has three lightning fires. The largest is the Highlands Fire, discovered this morning south of Bucks Lake at Bucks Highlands. The fire is approximately a half an acre and progress was stopped by Plumas National Forest Engine 325.
The Wolf Fire was just reported south of Highway 89, northwest of Greenville. Firefighters are responding.
The Feather River Ranger District lightning fires are under the Feather complex, with four fires so far and more expected to be discovered today.
The largest fire in the Feather Complex is the Letter Fire on the Feather River Ranger District. It is burning in the 2020 North Complex burn scar near Grizzly Forebay in heavy snags. The fire is approximately 10 acres.
Smoke may be visible from California State Highway 70 and the Bucks Lake area. Area residents and visitors should watch for increased firefighting traffic accessing the fire from Oro-Quincy Highway.
The Table Fire near La Porte Road was contained last night. The Poverty and American Fires were discovered this morning and are both staffed with firefighters. The Poverty Fire is estimated to be approximately 3 acres and the American Fire is approximately a tenth of an acre.
More lightning is in the forecast today over the Plumas National Forest.
Holdover lightning fires can smolder for days and even weeks following a 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.
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.
