Forest Service News Release
Dixie Fire Update for Friday, September 17, 2021
960,581 Acres 86% Containment 2,418 Total Personnel
Dixie Fire East Zone –
Smoke and fire activity has picked up in unburned pockets within containment lines as a result of
sustained hot and dry weather. An approaching weather system is forecasted to bring increased
southwest winds today and Saturday, as well as a chance for rain this weekend. Winds have the
potential to make the fire more active. Rain is forecasted for late Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Firefighters have been preparing by reinforcing containment lines by adding mopping depth thereby
minimizing the potential for any fire spread or spotting.
Yesterday, firefighters responded to reports of fire activity near Silver Lake Road, Turner Ridge, areas
near Buck’s Lake and west of Lake Davis, while elements of the U.S. Army responded to activity near
Last Chance Meadow. Forest fuels are breaking historical lows and are very dry, and crews are
beginning to see a rekindling of fire activity interior of the fire perimeter. Hotshot crews near the Devil’s
Punchbowl area continued mopping up interior heat along steep and rugged terrain while helicopter
crews dowsed hot spots identified by infrared sensors with aerial water drops. Crews patrolled the
perimeter overnight to scout for heat and look for trouble spots. There were no issues.
As smoke increases and the potential for fire activity increases, today’s focus will be on reinforcing
containment lines, maintaining patrols throughout the fire perimeter, and mopping up lines.
Firefighters also will backhaul equipment off the line at areas of lowest risk for fire activity and focus on
fire suppression repair, which is essential work to leave a better landscape behind and support our
Plumas National Forest partners. Fire suppression repair is actions taken to mitigate damages and
minimize potential soil erosion. Repair includes removing hazard trees and repairing the hand and
dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones and drop points used during fire suppression
efforts. To date, firefighters have completed 88 miles of suppression repair line, or about 4% of total
mapped line, currently identified with more line being surveyed daily. Land inside the fire
perimeter is still closed to the public.
For the West Zone update, visit https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/7/13/dixie-fire.
*A firefighter assigned to the Dixie incident passed away Sept. 2, because of an illness.
Follow QR Code or link below for contacts and additional information
LINKS – InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov)
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Dixie Fire Update
