A closer look at what survived and what didn’t in a portion of the Canyon

Feather Publishing and Plumas News Publisher Cobey Brown took a drive down Highway 70 to the Greenville Wye and on to Crescent Mills to visit some of the areas that have been impacted by the fire. Brown is a former firefighter and is familiar with the communities that he visited.

During the trip he countered two international news crews that were there to cover the Dixie Fire, which now is the 15th largest fire in California history, and the largest one burning in the state currently. It has drawn the attention of regional and national news outlets as well.

Brown drove to Crescent Mills, and as of this afternoon, all was quiet there.

Brown reports that in Indian Falls, he saw 12 homes still standing and 20 homesites that he described as “total losses.” Brown said that there were blocks where one house would be standing, while the house next to it was totally destroyed. As for the beautiful and popular Dawn Institute, with its gardens and apple orchard, it’s a “total loss.”

On Butterfly Valley Road, Brown said that it appeared just two structures were lost, those closest to the highway.

A visit down Roundhouse Road revealed one burned deck.

No structures were damaged in Paxton, but a structure very near to the community, was totally destroyed.

Brown reported that the Highway 70 corridor is filled with downed trees and debris, so one must be cautious while driving. Before the highway can be reopened, hazard trees will need to be removed and power lines repaired.