Efforts to control the massive Park Fire, which has now consumed over 426,000 acres, are intensifying. CAL FIRE Night Operations Chief Eric Schwab reported that since midnight on Wednesday, crews have been conducting firing operations along Highways 172 and 36 to contain the fire’s most active branch. They aim to create a ‘triangle’ to halt the fire’s advance toward Lassen National Park.
As the fire grows, the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office is closely monitoring evacuation zones. A zoning adjustment has been made to Zone PLU-001, located in the northwest corner of Plumas County, splitting it into two zones for more effective management. Both zones remain under warning status:
– PLU-001-A: North of the Plumas-Tehama County line near Wilson Lake, east of the Plumas-Tehama County line, south of the Plumas-Shasta County line, and west of Willow Lake.
– PLU-001-B: North of Section Old Red Bluff Rd, east of Little Willow Lake, south of the Plumas-Shasta County line, and west of Fleischmann Lake and Mount Harkness.
The Reno National Weather Service reports that residents can expect hazy skies as smoke from the Park Fire and the Crozier Fire in El Dorado County has settled overnight. Through Friday, there will be some improvement in air quality during the late morning, but westerly winds will likely push smoke back into the region by the afternoon.
In response to the smoke-filled skies, the Plumas County Fire Safe Council and Plumas Underburn Cooperative are offering free access to household air purifiers. Residents can borrow the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with Winix H 116130 HEPA filters on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, contact 530-283-3747.
Current firefighting resources include:
– 6,616 personnel
– 32 helicopters
– 513 engines
– 188 dozers
– 180 water tenders
– 144 crews
– 129 other assigned resources
Numerous firefighting air tankers across the state conduct fire suppression missions as conditions permit.
Photo taken July 28, 2024 by CALFIRE Butte
