New East Zone team provides evening briefing

The Dixie Fire is now 626,751 acres and 31 percent contained. Tonight’s East Zone community meeting was the first under the new California Interagency Incident Management Team1 and Incident Commander Jerry McGowan

Operations Section Chief Mario Gomez gave a brief update on the fire which addressed the growing threat to Janesville, as well as the slopover that occurred on Beardsley Grade in Indian Valley today.

Gomez said that crews tomorrow would be focusing on Genesee Valley and protecting the structures there.

The Sheriffs

Plumas County Sheriff Todd Johns began his presentation by sharing a message from Lassen County Sheriff Dean Growdon. He wanted it known that the fire is moving along and above Highway 395 toward Milford. Deputies are doing a secondary sweep of the area. He reiterated that Janesville and Milford residents need to evacuate.

Johns said that Plumas County still has one person unaccounted for — Ronald Avila of Greenville. “If you know him or his  whereabouts call 283-6300,” Johns said. While the sheriff’s office has some leads, they are still seeking the public’s help.

Johns addressed the evacuee situation and said he was working to get individuals home as quickly as possible. The local assistance center will be operational in Quincy this week and Johns plans to open them in other areas when evacuees arrive home.

PG&E may still cut off power in a number of counties this evening. The Plumas communities that would be affected include Tobin, Storrie, Twain, Lakes Basin area above Gold Lake, Diamond Mountain Road and North Arm Road. PG&E is establishing a center at the Elks lodge in Quincy where portable charging stations and other resources will be available.

Upcoming meetings

It was reported that the West Zone would have a meeting tomorrow night, Aug. 18, at 7 pm., and the East Zone’s next meeting would be Thursday, Aug. 19, at 7:30 p.m.

Tonight’s meeting is viewable on inciweb as well as the Plumas National Forest Facebook page and the Cal Fire Lassen Modoc Unit Facebook page.