Minerva Fire – day 3
8:30 p.m. The Minerva Fire has grown to 1,350 acres and is 20 percent contained. According to the Forest Service’s latest report, the line on the north end of the fire is tied up fairly well; nothing crossed the Watershed Road (Peppard Flat or 24N20), which is good news. But there is still lots of open fire line to the southeast, which is where the fire grew this afternoon. The fire has burned over the ridge between the west and middle branches of Mill Creek. Weather, diversion of resources and mechanical difficulties impacted today’s air attack. The sheriff reported that the presence of a private drone forced the helicopters to cease flying.
6:30 p.m. update: Sheriff Greg Hagwood reports that the fire has been very active today and strongly encourages Quincy residents, especially those in East Quincy, to maintain a high level of preparedness and have an emergency plan in place for the possibility of evacuations. There are currently NO EVACUATION ORDERS. When preparing, collect items such as: important documents, photos, cell phones, animals, and other items of importance. Again, he stresses that there are NO EVACUATION ORDERS at this time.
3:30 p.m. update: The Plumas County Public Health Agency and the local air quality district have issued a joint air quality advisory (see related post) as a result of conditions caused by the Minerva Fire. Firefighters continue to fight the fire from the air and on the ground. The fire is burning in areas that include trees and heavy brush on both sides of Claremont Ridge.
Noon update: Following are the latest numbers from the Forest Service: Total personnel: 1,820; size: 1,050 acres; percent contained: 15% and estimated containment date: Aug. 12
8 a.m., Monday, July 31: – The Minerva Fire is now at approximately 1,000 acres with 1,800 firefighters working the fire and providing structure protection. According to the Forest Service, firefighters worked through the night, making good use of moderated fire behavior, to construct direct fire line with bulldozers and crews where it was safe to do so. Efforts focused on lines to the north and east sides of the fire, working above Boyle’s Ravine and in the west branch of the Mills Creek drainage. While there is still a lot of open line, firefighters were pleased with the progress. Crews woke up to a hot breakfast and following morning briefing at 6:00am, are heading out for day shift.
While residents are still cautioned to be prepared, Sheriff Greg Hagwood said the fact that “we have not had to evacuate has been wonderful.” Hagwood said he and his staff will continue to work with the Forest Service and all of the fire departments that are in town to help protect Quincy.
Thank you firefighters!! You are doing such an amazing job keeping our community safe! Take care of one another out there.❤️
Thank you, Debra, for your updates….easy to find information from afar.
Thank you firefighters!
Is it true that a few people have been arrested in connection with the fire starting?
I just confirmed with Sheriff Greg Hagwood that there have been no arrests.
Maybe if they can track the person that owns the drone, they would find the arsonist
Concerned parent as my Daughter & my grandchildren live in Quincy.
thank you !!!
Felt very safe last nite when the Office of Emergency Services big green engines drove by to check on the neighborhood. They actually were here for a while. One of the engines was from San Francisco that came by………we’re lucky to have so many of them here in Quincy. This is the first time I have experienced this in 53 years of living in Quincy.
THANK YOU Quincy Fire Dept. , O.E.S., Cal Fire & U.S. Forest Service.
Gayle, Glad that the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System is working and the local government firefighters are there to protect you and Town of Quincy. Andy and Dick would be very of the system they spent so much time supporting and serving…..Kim Z
I really like seeing the local Fire trucks out patrolling around town, especially when I learned how very close the fire was, and is, to Quincy; great idea.
Thank you firefighters, police, and others who have helped protect our town! Keep up the good work! 🙂
Here are two fire information numbers to call:
530 283 7882
530 283 7883
People questioning evacuations should be assured that they will be notified in advance a number of different ways. Reverse 911, Sheriff Deputies will go door to door and/or use loud speakers.
At the moment there are no plans for evacuation. They have trigger points established. They are set well in advance just for that reason.
Our community cannot thank these firefighters enough for all of their hard work and facing such dangerous areas to protect us all. Thank you to all of the firefighters, support staff and to their families.
I cannot say more than everyone else has. Thank you, Bless you to Firefighters, Air Support, Sheriff Dept.
Good information Greg Jewers – thank you!
Thank-you for the updates, they are much appreciated. Can you please let us know how we can help the firefighters? Do they need bottled water, snack packs of nuts or trail mix or baby wipes? Where can we drop off donatiions? Thanks again!
I’ll check and see …
Janette, I checked with the Forest Service, and their spokesperson said that the firefighters are well taken care of and she suggested that individuals who wanted to help should donate to their local food bank or Red Cross.
PUBLIC SAFETY – Fire and Police are the most important assets our cities and counties can invest in!
Thank you Fire and Police !!
Thank you firefighters, police, for protecting Quincy…praying for all your safety and success!
My husband is a volunteer firefighter with the Plumas Eureka Fire Protection District in Blairsden and he is proud and honored to serve our communities. These men and women love what they do and go through the same rigorous training that professional firefighters are required to do. They also know that you appreciate their service because you thank them all the time. Their dedication and support of one another is really something. My husband and many other husbands and wives, men and women of the volunteer firefighter dept. are in Quincy doing what they have been trained to do. Doesn’t that make you feel a little bit better? I’ve been praying for everyone to stay safe, for this fire to be killed and for all the firefighters to come home.
Are volunteers needed to help out at the base camp to work in the kitchen or help with anything there to help?
Thanks firefighters, was happy to loan several of them a place to shower they were happy campers keep up the good word boys and girls!
My dad got called on that fire. I wish you luck dad!!
God be with all those fighting the fire and for their families waiting for them to get hoe safely. Thank you for saving my home town and keeping our families safe. I hope the heck that the person/people that started it are caught very soon. My granddaughter is 5 years old and had to pack her important things up on Sunday night, just in case, and she was terrified for her kitty. What kind of a sicko could put anyone, especially a child, through such a thing. To the person with the drone, REALLY?? Are you that stupid? I am sorry for the rant but I feel very strongly about this. People are risking their lives out there..God bless
“The sheriff reported that the presence of a private drone forced the helicopters to cease flying.” It has become far too common for personal drones to hamper firefighting efforts. What can be done about them? Prayers for everyone’s safety!
AMAZING you are all Wonderfull THANK YOU ALL SOOOOO MUCH
PLUMAS EUREKA STATE PARK STAFF