Just an example of the miles and miles of hose that must be removed. Photo courtesy of USFS

Oct. 11: North Complex Fire: Suppression and rehabilitation

October 11, 2020October 12, 2020 Editor

While the effort continues to suppress the North Complex Fire, work is already underway to protect the landscape from erosion during this winter’s rains and pick up the miles of hose that has been laid.

Winds continue, but the long awaited rain failed to materialize. Nevertheless overall the weather has aided firefighters who have eliminated the night shift and are focusing their efforts on fire suppression during the day.

The Plumas County Sheriff ‘s Office lifted all mandatory and advisory orders that were in place. Though residents are allowed home they are reminded that fire personnel are still working in the area. They are asked to drive carefully and watch for fire equipment. Also, on the La Porte Road, heavy logging is reported and motorists should be on the lookout for trucks.

Forest closures remain in effect and hazardous conditions still exist. The public is asked to stay out of forest closure areas, as interference with fire suppression could delay firefighting efforts. Law enforcement will be patrolling the area.

There will be one operational briefing video posted daily to the Plumas National Forest Facebook Page. Team Planning meetings (daily at 7 p.m.) and Cooperator Meetings (Mon-Wed-Fri at 10 a.m.) will be available to watch via Zoom (https://usfs.zoomgov.com/j/1602646317).

The North Complex Fire is 318,930 acres and 92 percent contained.

In the west zone, please see CAL FIRE Team 4 updates for more up to date information at: www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/north-complex-fire/

Video operational updates and live broadcasts for all portions of the fire can be viewed on Plumas National Forest’s Facebook page.

The North Complex began with the Claremont, Bear and Sheep fires. The latter broke out on the Plumas National Forest, but quickly pushed into Lassen County forcing evacuations around Susanville and destroying several homes. (It was broken off from the North Complex and handled separately).

The Claremont Fire broke out Aug. 17 as the result of a lightning strike. It forced evacuations and threatened the communities of East Quincy, La Porte Road, the Highway 70 corridor, Spring Garden, Greenhorn, Cromberg and Sloat during the past weeks. Only one outbuilding has been lost during the fire.

The Bear Fire also broke out Aug. 17 following a lightning strike. Initially it was left to burn because it wasn’t immediately a threat to people or property; it was in steep, rugged terrain; and resources were scarce due to the fires burning across the state. So though it held at 50 acres for a while, it grew to over 12,000 acres and threatened the communities of Bucks Lake, Haskins Valley, Tollgate and Meadow Valley. For full evacuation lists go to: