It has been exactly one week since the lightning storm that started the four fires on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District that became the Gold Complex.
Following two relatively mild fire seasons locally, the 2024 fire season so far has included numerous agency assists and mutual aids working with Cal Fire and other departments to help fight wildland fires to protect communities near the Plumas National Forest. On the Forest, while there have been more fires, they were kept small with none burning more than an acre until last week’s lightning fires that formed the Gold Complex.
Even with smaller, single-tree fires, area residents and visitors have expressed concerns and stress when there is smoke or an emergency wildland firefighter response. Last night, there were numerous 911 calls as smoke from the Park Fire settled in the Indian Valley area during the evening.
Plumas National Forest employees know and share with the communities the trauma that followed recent large wildfires that started with the Camp fire in 2018. The Gold Complex and the Park Fire burning near Chico bring back those memories. They would like to encourage the public to help take care of each other and to be prepared in case of wildfire.
There are a number of resources available through Plumas County for wildfire preparedness, including the Office of Emergency Services at www.plumascounty.us/88/Office-of-Emergency-Services, as well as through Plumas County Fire Safe Council at www.plumasfiresafe.org, and your local FireWise Community group: NFPA - Firewise USA®.
Area residents and visitors are also reminded that the Plumas National Forest is currently in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are only allowed in specific designated recreation sites with a campground host, in established campfire rings. Even in the hosted campgrounds, campfires should never be left unattended and be dead out and cold to the touch before leaving.
Fuels conditions are being monitored to determine if fire restrictions need to be increased. Additionally, firefighters continue to watch for holdover fires from recent lightning storms.
Even with slightly cooler temperatures through early this week, area residents and visitors are asked to be careful with anything that can spark a wildfire and to report suspected wildfires by calling 911.
Thank you!
- Tamara
Tamara Schmidt
Public Affairs Officer
Forest Service
Plumas National Forest
Caring for the land and serving people
