Sunday Update – September 12, 2021

Incident Summary

California’s largest wildfire burning in the State is the Dixie Fire which ignited on July 13, 2021, around 1715 hours PT from an unknown (unreleased) source. This is still under investigation.

Fire Fact – This fire has been burning as an active wildfire for 59 days. – CAL FIRE

Location

The fire is said to be burning in the Feather River Canyon area above the Cresta Powerhouse and Lake Almanor.

It is burning on the Plumas and Lassen National Forests, Lassen Volcanic National Park and in five counties: Butte, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama, California.

Fire Fact – This firestorm is burning in five Counties: Butte, Tehama, Plumas, Shasta and Lassen. – CAL FIRE

Current Status

There has been 960,335 acres consumed and a 67% containment status.

Evacuations are still in effect. Details here –> https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/7/14/dixie-fire/

A boil water advisory is in effect. Details here –> https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/7/14/dixie-fire/

A TFR is in effect, meaning no drones in fire zones. Even small ones are dangerous, especially if they collide with firefighting aircraft.

Fire Fact – As of today, there were 13,325 personnel assigned to 16 active wildfires. – CAL FIRE

Damage Assessments

1,329 structures have been destroyed.

95 structures have been damaged.

One fatality has been reported.

There has been a total cost-to-date of $519 Million Dollars reached for fire suppression and containment expenses.

Fire Fact – September is National Preparedness Month and a great reminder to get prepared. – NWFB

Resources

There are 38 copters, 292 engines, 108 dozers, 174 water tenders, 4,334 personnel and 70 crews still assigned to this incident.

Hero Spotlight – Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue

We dedicate this post to our HEROES SAVING HEROES SPOTLIGHT to the Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue who donated and delivered a Type 1 Fire Engine, stocked with all the necessary supplies and equipment to the Indian Valley Fire and Rescue in Greenville. This was to replace what they lost in what the (Dixie) fire took from them – which was their Fire Station, equipment and engine.

We LOVE these types of good-feel stories. Nice work, TMFR!

(c) 2021 NW Fire Blog

Tuesday Update – August 31, 2021

Incident Summary

California’s largest wildfire burning in the State is the Dixie Fire which ignited on July 13, 2021, around 1715 hours PT from an unknown (unreleased) source and is under investigation.

Location

The fire is said to be burning in the Feather River Canyon area above the Cresta Powerhouse and Lake Almanor.

It is burning on the Plumas and Lassen National Forests, Lassen Volcanic National Park and in five counties: Butte, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama, California.

Current Status

Fire behavior is still now extreme with wind-driven runs, group torching and long-range spotting.

There has been 819,956 acres destroyed and crews have worked tirelessly to increase containment from 47% on Sunday to 48% on this Tuesday evening.

They are still fully engaged trying to contain this stubborn, difficult and dangerous firestorm. Estimated containment is on Saturday, October 30th.

At this time, there are still several communities, infrastructure and other structures still being threatened.

Evacuations are in effect.

Damage Assessments

The DIXIE FIRE has destroyed 1,282 structures and damaged 92 structures.

Resources, shelters (people and their pets), closures and other helpful information for evacuees can be found on CAL FIRE’s website here –> https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/7/14/dixie-fire/

There has been a total cost-to-date of $408 Million Dollars reached for fire suppression and containment expenses.

Resources

Fire command is Unified Command, under the following three agencies: Nick Truax, CALFIRE IMT 1 Evans Kuo, GBT1 Jay Lusher, NPS/BLM.

At this time, there are about 3,970 total personnel with 19 copters, 341 engines, 90 dozers, 123 water tenders and 52 crews.

Some of the personnel represent the many fire agencies. Cooperators include: Reno Firefighters, CAL FIRE.

Through the Eyes of Social Media

“Dixie Fire is the 2nd largest wildfire in modern California history.” – Media

“Second time in CA History that a wildfire has crossed the Sierra Nevada – first it was the Dixie Fire, now the Caldor Fire.” – Media

“The fire is now larger than Rhode Island. Firefighters will be challenged in the coming days due to gusty SW winds up to 60 mph and in some areas single-digit relative humidity.” – Fire Aviation Media

(c) 2021 NW Fire Blog

Sunday Update – August 29, 2021

California’s largest wildfire burning in the State is the DIXIE FIRE which ignited on July 13, 2021, around 1715 hours PT from an unknown (unreleased) source and is under investigation.

It is located about 15 miles northeast of Paradise and in the Feather River Canyon above the Cresta Powerhouse and Lake Almanor, California. This is burning in five Counties: Butte, Plumas, Shasta, Lassen and Tehama.

Fire management was under Bill See (CALFIRE IMT3 IC), Jerry McGowan (CIIMT1) and Jay Lusher (NPS/BLM) but has been transferred to the Great Basin Team 1 has occurred today.

This incident is broken up into various zones:

CalFire Team 1 managed the West Zone until August 8th, when the team transitioned to CalFire Team 3.

EAST ZONE

• The East Zone was managed by the California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 until August 3rd, when the California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 transitioned into command.
• On August 17th, California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 took command of the East Zone of the fire through August 28, 2021.
• On August 29,2021, Great Basin Team 1 assumed command of the East Zone of the fire. 

WEST ZONE

• CalFire Team 1 managed the West Zone until August 8th, when the team transitioned to CalFire Team 3.
• RH remained low throughout the day
• Fire resources continue to patrol fire lines; reinforce control lines
• Control lines are holding near Janesville and Susanville
• Some evacuation orders have been reduced to notifications only

EAST ZONE

• The East Zone was managed by the California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 until August 3rd, when the California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 transitioned into command.
• On August 17th, California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 took command of the East Zone of the fire through August 28, 2021.
• On August 29,2021, Great Basin Team 1 assumed command of the East Zone of the fire. 
• Spot fires – Walker/Grizzly became very afternoon this afternoon, both have merged together

Fire behavior is still active with wind-driven runs, group torching and short-range spotting. About 764,135 acres have been consumed. A 48% containment status has been reached by ground and air resources.

Damage Assessments

• 92 structures damaged
• 1,275 structures destroyed

Resources –> https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/7/14/dixie-fire/ (Evacuees0

Fire Resources –>

• 19 copters
• 384 engines
• 139 dozers
• 168 water tenders
• 4,836 total personnel
• 70 crews

A $390 Million Dollar price tag has been reached for fire suppression and containment costs-to-date.

(c) 2021 NW Fire Blog

Friday Update – August 27, 2021

California’s largest wildfire burning in the State is the Dixie Fire which ignited on July 13, 2021, around 1715 hours PT from an unknown (unreleased) source and is under investigation.

The fire is said to be burning in the Feather River Canyon area above the Cresta Powerhouse and Lake Almanor.

Fire management is under Bill See (CALFIRE IMT3 IC), Jerry McGowan (CIIMT1) and Jay Lusher (NPS/BLM).

Fire behavior is still active with wind-driven runs, group torching and short-range spotting.

There has been 752,920 acres burned and crews have begun to attempt to tame this firestorm by bringing it into a 47% containment status; which we know this has been a very difficult, destructive and dangerous fire.

The DIXIE FIRE has destroyed 1,273 total structures and reached a staggering cost-to-date of $372 Million Dollars to date.

At this time, there are about 4,833 total personnel with 58 crews, 370 engines and 21 copters.

(c) 2021 NW Fire Blog