Sept. 5: Claremont Fire -UPDATE: Evacuation advisories lifted
8:30 p.m. UPDATE: The North Complex Fire, which includes the Claremont and the Bear, grew by approximately 900 acres Saturday, due to an inversion that lifted this afternoon increasing fire behavior. Smoke from interior pockets of the fire increased as the fire made an eastern run from Grizzly Creek in between the Bear and Claremont Fires toward the Claremont Fire. Some long-range spotting occurred, and crews are monitoring and patrolling.
Firefighters made good progress holding the fire within containment lines from the Middle Fork of the Feather River to the eastern flank of the fire. On the south side, the containment line is holding well as crews continue mopping up. An infrared flight today revealed little heat along the southwestern edge of the fire.
Adverse winds prevented firefighters from conducting strategic firing operations between the edges of the Bear and Claremont fires, but are hopeful to continue tonight when the more favorable down canyon winds arrive.
2 p.m. UPDATE: The Plumas County Sheriff has lifted the evacuation advisory for residents of Greenhorn, Spring Garden, Sloat, Cromberg, and the Highway 70 corridor from Chandler Road east to Spring Garden.
The Claremont Fire is now 24,561 acres and 50 percent contained. This is possibly the last separate post for the fire as a standalone as the Claremont is expected to merge with the Bear Fire as planned.
Firefighters made good progress yesterday holding the fire within containment lines, as well as progressed with planned firing operations and the strengthening of contingency lines. Some spotting did occur, but firefighters were able to quickly contain the spot fires on the south edge, but those were quickly contained.
The line from Claremont Peak to Peppard Flat and behind East Quincy remains strong as does the Highway 70 corridor. The fire is contained to the north of the Middle Fork and though there was fire in the Wild and Scenic area it is believed that it remained low to the ground.
The smoke is here and will continue to be here for the next few days. Wind direction, heat and the smoke from both the Claremont and Bear fires are all combining for very unhealthy to hazardous air quality. Even as crews work to contain the perimeter, fire is still burning within the footprint.
All evacuees have returned home, but remain under an advisory.
Thus far on the Claremont, only one outbuilding has been destroyed (on upper La Porte Road), but no homes have been lost. There are 1,260 personnel assigned to the North Complex, which includes the Claremont, Bear and some small contained fires.
The Claremont Fire broke out Aug. 17 as the result of a lightning strike. It has threatened the communities of East Quincy, La Porte Road, the Highway 70 corridor, Spring Garden, Greenhorn, Cromberg and Sloat. It is part of the North Complex of fires burning on the Plumas National Forest.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
