Walker Fire Day 8
7:40 p.m., Sept. 11: The Walker Fire is now 48,507 acres and 28 percent contained.
Forest Service reports that today firefighters patrolled the dozer lines on Stoney Ridge and near Antelope Lake, continuing to build and reinforce handlines on the west side and build hose lines. This work included mopping up hot spots inside the blackened fire area and burning out pockets of unburned fuel.
Firefighters have been able to engage the fire directly because the current weather has reduced fire activity. Dozers continued constructing lines on the east side from Doyles Crossing south to Beckwourth Road. Helicopters continue to be a great asset to ground crews in assisting with water and retardant drops. Firefighting resources continue to monitor and patrol the Highway 395 corridor including the community of Milford.
Resource Advisors have started working with crews to start the suppression repair process. Tonight crews will continue to build, strengthen and improve control lines all around the fire. Today light winds from the east pushed smoke into the Taylorsville area. Residents with breathing issues should monitor air quality and remain indoors during heavy periods of smoke.
8:50 a.m., Sept 11: The Forest Service has released some new numbers: The Walker Fire, which broke out one week ago on Sept. 4, is  now 48,321 acres and 20 percent contained. No structures have been lost. Total personnel is now at 1,284 with Engines: 110; Handcrews: 30; Dozers: 17; Helicopters: 6; and Water  Tenders: 13
A moment of silence was held at this morning’s briefing to recognize the victims of 9/11.
Additional firefighters and equipment, requested by the Incident Management Team are arriving to the fire, steadily increasing the total personnel since the firefighting effort began. This increase in resources has been a crucial part of controlling the fire and increasing containment. During last night’s evening shift, progress was made constructing containment line utilizing dozers farther south of Doyle Crossing. Firefighters patrolled, increased the depth of mop up operations, and strengthened containment lines.
Moderate fire behavior is predicted today by the Incident Meteorologist and Fire Behavior Analyst. These conditions are allowing crews to aggressively construct additional direct hand and dozer lines along the fire’s edge. Significant improvement in the percentage of containment is anticipated today. Today’s focus will be extending the northeast dozer line continuing south in order to develop better containment on the east flank. Steep terrain in the northwest limits the ability to construct direct handline in some areas. Crews will construct handline along the fire perimeter where possible in conjunction with dozers and crews constructing indirect line to achieve containment on the western flank. In these areas of steep and difficult terrain, when conditions permit, firefighters may conduct firing operations to secure their constructed indirect lines.
7:30 a.m., Sept. 11: The Walker Fire is now at 48,321 acres and still just 20 percent contained.
The Plumas County Sheriff has reduced the evacuation level from mandatory to advisory in all areas except the Murdock Crossing and Stoney areas. Those residents that return to their homes should continue to monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate the area if conditions worsen. For the most current information regarding evacuation levels, please contact the Plumas County Sheriff’s office at (530) 283-6300.
In its latest update the Forest Service said that fire activity was minimal because of wetting rain which fell over the majority of the fire. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity reduced fire activity enabling fire crews  to strengthen existing fireline and construct new line closer to the fire’s edge, increasing the percentage of containment.
A second fire camp has been established on the eastern side of the fire to position firefighters closer to the east side of the fire and to reduce heavy truck traffic on local roads. Firefighters will continue to take advantage of the current weather conditions by establishing dozer and hand lines directly along the fire perimeter.
Evacuations: Prior timeline
7:15 p.m., Sept. 10: The Walker Fire is now 20 percent contained!
7:30 a.m., Sept 10: The Walker Fire is now 47,340 acres and 12 percent contained. Personnel from different states and agencies make up the 1,096 assigned to the fire, double the number on the fire last week.
