Sept. 3: UPDATE: Fire crews familiarize themselves with the neighborhoods
UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: Meadow Valley residents reported seeing crews and engines in their neighborhoods sparking concern and comfort simultaneously. The Forest Service told residents firefighters are driving through neighborhoods to familiarize themselves with the area. They are also prepping businesses and homes as a precaution.
Today the Bear Fire continued its push north into the Fourth Creek drainage and east toward Pigeon Roost Creek with prevailing westerly winds. The fire remains checked up in Willow Creek to the west and the Middle Fork of the Feather River to the south. Firefighters worked to scout areas to build direct line where terrain and fire behavior allow.
UPDATE 9 a.m.: As of this morning the Bear Fire is reported to be 31 percent contained. Plumas News confirmed that it was indeed an increase from the 13 percent reported last night.
Original story: It was a busy day on the Bear Fire yesterday as  west winds pushed the Bear Fire east into Pigeon Roost Creek toward the Claremont Fire (the Forest Service has been preparing for the two fires to meet) and north into the Fourth Creek drainage. Both areas have indirect dozer line ahead of the fire and are not in populated areas. The fire crossed the Pacific Crest Trail in the vicinity of Lookout Rock.
Hotshot crews, heavy equipment and helicopters fought the fire directly and indirectly until winds grounded the helicopters on part of the fire.
The fire is now 12,005 acres and 13 percent contained.
Crews continue to work on structure protection measures in Haskins Valley, Bucks Lake, Highlands communities to the northwest of the Bear Fire. An advisory remains in effect for those areas.
Today’s winds are forecast to be out of the north and east, which will test uncontained fireline along the Feather River. Upcoming temperatures are expected to be very hot and an excessive heat watch has been issued by the National Weather Service. Dry, stagnant weather is forecast into the weekend.
More resources continue to arrive daily — many coming from the Sheep Fire near Susanville, which is now 71 percent contained.
After a brief respite Monday and Tuesday, very unhealthy and hazardous air quality has returned. The effects will be felt beyond the immediate vicinity. Smoke will settle into valleys across the entire region from Susanville to Reno to Lake Tahoe to Grass Valley to Oroville to Chester. Heavy smoke will impact areas between Greenville and Portola.
The Bear Fire broke out Aug. 17 following a lightning strike. Thus far no structures have been lost.
