Dixie Fire Tuesday update: Firefighters battle spot fires that briefly closed Highway 395
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 09/07/2021 - 10:23am
Firefighters battling the Dixie Fire near Susanville contended with spot fires Monday evening with the fire having crossed Highway 395 south of Milford, closing the highway briefly, according to a Cal Fire morning report.
Firefighters expect moderate to active fire behavior Tuesday because of southwest winds in the middle of the day, according to Cal Fire in its Tuesday morning report.
More than 500 new firefighters joined the fight Monday, adding to the total personnel of 4,673 responders. The fire is 917,579 acres and 59 percent contained as of Tuesday morning.
Monday and overnight into Tuesday morning most of the fire perimeter remained quiet as hot spots were held in check behind containment lines. However, the far eastern and southeastern parts of the fire are expected to remain active Tuesday, according to Cal Fire.
Crews were able to quickly catch the small spot-fire on the east side of Highway 395. Hot shot crews are working with resources to construct direct containment line on the northern flank of the fire near Highway 395, according to Cal Fire.
Hand crews and heavy equipment were successful building containment lines and keeping the fire from progressing southward in the Horton Ridge, Dixie Valley, and Dixie Mountain areas. Crews also improved contingency dozer lines located near Dotta Canyon and along the Beckwourth/Genesee Road.
Fire continues to burn in very steep terrain of the Devil’s Punchbowl south of Taylorsville, and crews are monitoring it closely, using helicopters to keep it in place and cool it down. Crews used water to mop up all the heat within 100 feet around homes in Genesee Valley and continue to patrol and monitor the area. Unburned pockets in the interior of the fire will continue to burn out and produce smoke during the heat of the day.
The following is from the Tuesday morning Cal Fire report:
Dixie Fire West Zone: The fire continued to burn into the evening and began to moderate after midnight. Smoke settled into the valleys on the northern portion of the fire. Active ground fire was observed throughout the night, with occasional single tree torching.
Heavy down fuels actively consumed throughout the night. Crews will continue to complete line in steep and rugged terrain in the wilderness of Lassen National Volcanic Park using all firefighting strategies available. Resources continue to establish direct and indirect containment line south of Old Station utilizing lines created by the Reading incident. Resources continue to establish containment lines to hold Highway 44 and monitor for spots across the highway while protecting critical fiber optic cable.
Crews are completing contingency lines both north and south of Janesville and Milford while monitoring for the predicted wind event today. Crews are providing structure defense while ensuring firefighter safety. Resources will continue to respond to service calls within communities impacted by the fire. Mop up and patrol status is currently being utilized in applicable areas.
The high-pressure weather system will begin to weaken Tuesday with humidity remaining low and temperatures cooling slightly. Temperatures will be 83-91 degrees during the day. Humidity will be 8-12 percent with southwest winds up to 5-10 mph and gusts up to 15 mph in the afternoon.
The Dixie Fire started on July 13 and is burning on the Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and in five counties: Butte, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama. The fire has resulted in structure damage, evacuation orders, and evacuation warnings. Many roads are closed, as are the national forests.
As of Tuesday the fire, since it began, has destroyed 1,282 homes and businesses and damaged 92 other structures. Full containment is expected Saturday, Oct. 30.
