UPDATE 1: 6/29/2022, 1120 hours PT
The RICES FIRE is burning in Rice’s Crossing, near North San Juan in Nevada County, California, which ignited from an unknown cause on Tuesday, June 28th just after 1400 hours.
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ARE IN EFFECT: Birchville, Sweetland, French Corral, Bridgeport, Rice’s Crossing, Buttermilk
EVACUATION WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT: Sebastopol, North San Juan, New School, Robinson, Greater Tyler Foote, N Purdon Road, Millhouse, Montezuma, Central Purdon
SHELTER: Nevada County Fairgrounds (Animals)
TEMPORARY EVACUATION POINT: Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City.
EVACUATION CHECKLIST
Unified Command: CAL FIRE NEU, Tahoe National Forest, North San Juan FD, Nevada County Sheriff’s Department, and CA Highway Patrol (CHP).
The fire behavior is active with wind-driven runs, single-tree spotting, as well as long-range spotting, is burning in heavy fire fuels which include dormant brush, hardwood slash, and brush. The terrain is steep and rugged, making it dangerous for fire crews as they are having to work with exceptionally and critically dry and receptive fuel beds. The area has been very active with wildfires.
Resources include 80 engines, 20 water tenders, 15 hand crews, 11 dozers, and 640 total personnel.
Incident Cooperators include the following listed below:
American Red Cross: Shelter at Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City.
ISS Above:
CAL FIRE Butte Unit/Butte County FD: 2 strike teams (10 Type 3 Engines), one crew, one dozer.
OCFA: Intel 12
Nevada County Sheriff’s Office: The fairgrounds are open for animal evacuations. Call our dispatch center for help evacuating if needed.
Peardale Chicago Park Fire (PCP Fire): Brush-57 (on Taskforce) deployed on Tuesday, June 28th.
Ophir Hill Fire:
Nevada County Consolidated Fire District (NCC Fire):
Higgins Fire:
Penn Valley Fire:
San Mateo Consolidated FD: Eight members en route as part of the Strike Team 2861F.
Santa Rosa FD: One engine as part of a mutual strike team.
Air Resources: AA230, Lead AA505, T15, T88, T89, T93, T103, T132, T137, T914. 3 S2’s, 4 LATS, 1 VLAT, 2 Helicopters. (as of 6/28/2022)
Nevada County Sheriff’s Office:
Current Size: 769 acres. Zero percent containment status.
At this time, there have been four structures destroyed but due to the ever-changing wildfire behavior, fire officials say they cannot guestimate on the current destroyed and damaged structures until they are able to assess the scene.
One firefighter injury has occurred. His/her condition is unknown or what the exact injury was.
Timeline of the fire through the Eyes of Social Media:
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
“Air support is critical in firefights.” (0839) – Poster
“Fire now threatening over 500 structures. 100’s of firefighters have been called to fight the fire, which is now over 500 acres.” (0702) – Media
“Air quality conditions are in the Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy this morning in the Yuba County foothills from wildfire smoke from the #RicesFire. Conditions should improve as winds increase and shift to southwesterly later this morning.” ( 0711) – Feather Reiver Air Quality Management District
“Helitack base is coming together in the foothills this morning.” – (0845) – Poster
“Looks like an inversion layer above the smoke is moderating fire behavior.” (1014) – Fire Photographer
“Grass Valley air tanker 88 has been making rounds on the #RicesFire this morning. Currently back at the Grass Valley Interagency Air Attack Base.” (1031) – Media
“The wind has shifted and smoke is now blowing up the South Fork of the Yuba River.” (1134) – Poster
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
“Fire can be seen from Lake Wildwood spillway on Pleasant Valley Road. I hike often @ S Yuba River State Park at Bridgeport.” (1626) – Poster
“600 acres and is moving fast. Smoke has reached Nevada. The fire was started by a structure fire and is running into a valley. Evacuations are in place.” (1906) – Fire Blogger
“Fire is at 510 acres and 0% containment. Winds are doing their nightly shift and are now pushing it towards the NW. Worried about the Yuba river drainage because if it gets established there it’s no good. Winds will continue to shift through the night.” (2143) – Fire Photographer
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