Aug. 19: Progress made on Loyalton Fire
UPDATE 7 p.m., Aug. 19: As of 6:30 p.m., no additional structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire.
Predicted high winds caused fire activity to pick up after noon today. Containment lines were tested by the wind, and crews worked through the afternoon to ensure that minimal fire spread occurred outside of constructed lines.
Containment held well on the top of the fire, with very little heat observed. The most active area of the fire was between Burma Summit and Balls Canyon Ranch, where some small spots occurred.
However, the wind was mostly at firefighter’s backs, and they were able to pick those spots up promptly. Firefighters also worked to construct indirect fireline (line away from the fire’s active edge) and contingency lines should they be unable to stop the fire progression directly along its existing perimeter. This proposed contingency line is north of Babbit Peak.
Evacuations
- All evacuations for Vinton and Chilcoot have been lifted.
- All evacuations in Lassen County have been lifted.
- All evacuations for the areas of Cold Springs and Bordertown have been lifted.
- Evacuation Advisories have been lifted for the City of Loyalton and homes on the south side of Highway 49 west of Loyalton to Lombardi Point, and in the area of Hwy 49 and 70 south to Loyalton, and to the east side of Hwy 49
- Mandatory Evacuation Orders remain in effect for Balls Canyon Road, Long Valley Road, and Copperfield.
- An Evacuation Advisory remains in effect for Sierra Brooks.
Road Closures
- Hwy 49, 70 and 395 are currently open.
Original Story: The Loyalton Fire, which originated east of Loyalton and southwest of Mount Ina Coolbrith on Aug. 14, is burning north and east adjacent to the areas of Beckwourth Pass and Hallelujah Junction. The fire is now at 46,386 acres and 35 percent contained. A flare up east of Highway 395 overnight was very visible to motorists, but it was within the fire perimeter and was quickly extinguished. There are 788 personnel working on the fire.
Following is the latest information on evacuations and closures:
Evacuation Orders:
As of 8 p.m. on August 18, 2020 the EVACUATION ADVISORY for Cold Springs and Bordertown has been lifted.
Mandatory Evacuation Orders remain in effect for Balls Canyon Road, Long Valley Road, and Copperfield.
Advisory Evacuation Orders remain effect for Sierra Brooks.
Advisory Evacuation Orders remain in effect for the City of Loyalton and homes on the south side of Hwy 49 west of Loyalton to Lombardi Point.
Advisory Evacuation Orders remain in effect for the areas of Chilcoot and Vinton.
Advisory Evacuation Orders remain in effect for the area of Hwy 49 and 70 south to
Loyalton, and to the east side of Hwy 49.
All Evacuation Orders in Lassen County have been lifted.
Road Closures:
Hwy 49 is currently open.
Hwy 395 is currently open.
Hwy 70 is currently open.
The cause of the fire was a lightning strike.
