This afternoon a thunderstorm resulted in four dry lightning strikes that have become rapidly growing wildfires on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District.
The Mill, Mill 2 and Mill 3 fires are currently burning near the community of Whitehawk Ranch. The Mill Fire is estimated to be approximately 500 acres, while the Mill 2 and Mill 3 fires are each estimated to be approximately 75 acres.
The Smith Fire is currently burning north of California State Highway 70 between Smith Peak and Maybe. The Fire is estimated to be approximately 50 acres.
For all four fires, they are growing rapidly due to winds, slope and dry fuels.
There are structures threatened by all four fires, including the communities of Whitehawk Ranch, Clio, Gold Mountain, Delleker, Lake Davis Area and the south and west sides of Portola.
Plumas County Sheriff is responsible for evacuations and is sharing information on their Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/plumascountysheriff.
Multiple engines, firefighting crews, dozers and aircraft are fighting the fires with more resources on order, including from Cal Fire and other agencies. An incident management team is being ordered tonight.
Due to the Smith and Mill fire an evacuation WARNING has been issued for the west side of Portola, South side of Portola and everything between Highway 70 and the Feather River from Portola to Maybe. PLU-076, PLU-099, PLU-094, POR-001, POR-004, and POR-006.
The Mill, Mill 2 and Mill 3 fires are currently burning near the community of Whitehawk Ranch. The Mill Fire is estimated to be approximately 500 acres, while the Mill 2 and Mill 3 fires are each estimated to be approximately 75 acres.
The Smith Fire is currently burning north of California State Highway 70 between Smith Peak and Maybe. The Fire is estimated to be approximately 50 acres.
For all four fires, they are growing rapidly due to winds, slope and dry fuels.
There are structures threatened by all four fires, including the communities of Whitehawk Ranch, Clio, Gold Mountain, Delleker, Lake Davis Area and the south and west sides of Portola.
Plumas County Sheriff is responsible for evacuations and is sharing information on their Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/plumascountysheriff.
Multiple engines, firefighting crews, dozers and aircraft are fighting the fires with more resources on order, including from Cal Fire and other agencies. An incident management team is being ordered tonight.
Due to the Smith and Mill fire an evacuation WARNING has been issued for the west side of Portola, South side of Portola and everything between Highway 70 and the Feather River from Portola to Maybe. PLU-076, PLU-099, PLU-094, POR-001, POR-004, and POR-006.
PHOTO courtesy of Flinda France. Photo taken from their ranch on A-23.
