The Bear Fire, now in its third day, has burned 3,280 acres and remains at zero percent containment. The fire’s rapid growth, which expanded by nearly 1,000 acres Tuesday into Wednesday, has prompted mandatory evacuation orders to stay in effect until a safer containment level is reached.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office, working in Unified Command with the U.S. Forest Service and Cal-Fire, continues to prioritize community safety. Evacuation orders will remain until further notice, and residents are urged to follow all safety protocols and remain vigilant.
A community meeting will be held tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Sierraville Elementary School to provide the latest updates on the fire. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the Tahoe National Forest’s Facebook page.
Sierra County Social Services is available to assist with individual emergency needs. Residents can visit their office at 202 Front Street in Loyalton or call 530-993-6700 for help. For information on lodging options and other resources, visit the Sierra County website under Bear Fire 2024.
The Sierra-Plumas Unified School District is closely coordinating with law enforcement, the Office of Emergency Services, and fire officials to make day-to-day decisions about school closures. Updates will be communicated through email, text systems, the District’s Facebook page, and the automated all-call system. The district emphasizes that the safety of students, staff, and the community remains their top priority.
The Tahoe National Forest has issued closures for the fire area, effective now through December 31, 2024. This includes restrictions on accessing National Forest lands, roads, and trails within the Bear Fire Closure Area. For detailed closure maps and information, visit the Tahoe National Forest website.
If you are in the area you are advised to stay informed through Everbridge and Zonehaven alerts. Visit the county’s website to sign up if you have not already done so.
