The Mill Fire has scorched 2,962 acres and is now fully contained as of last night. Firefighters successfully secured the remaining perimeter, bringing the fire to 100% containment by 6 p.m. yesterday. The Smith Fire, which burned 45 acres, also remains fully contained.
With the fires now under control, management of the Gold Complex has shifted from the Plumas National Forest Type 3 Incident Management Team to a local Type 4 organization. Incident Commander Don Fregulia thanked the local communities for their support and urged continued cooperation as crews work to fully secure the area.
As resources are being released from the Gold Complex, residents and visitors should know about increased firefighter traffic on local roads and highways. The public is also advised to avoid the fire areas, as there are still hazards from actively burning fuels within the containment lines.
This will be the final update unless significant changes occur.
Photo of California Conservation Corps (CCC) members on the Gold Complex with backhauled firehose they are helping with.
Gold Complex Update
August 4, 2024
Quick Facts
| Acres: Mill, 2,962; Smith, 45 | Crews: 4 |
| Containment: Mill 98%; Smith 100% | Engines: 8 |
| Detection Date: July 22, 2024 | Dozers: 1 |
| Cause: Lightning | Water Tenders: 6 |
| Total resources: 146 | Heavy Equipment: 7 |
Official Fire Information
Headlines
- This is the final update until there is a significant change. All fires in the Gold Complex will be 100 percent contained at 6 p.m. today.
- Today the Gold Complex will transition from the Plumas National Forest Type 3 Incident Management Team to a local Type 4 organization at 6 p.m.
- “I would like to thank our local communities for their support, cooperation and understanding as we work on fighting the fires in the Gold Complex,” said Incident Commander Don Fregulia. “We ask for continued support as wildland firefighters work towards full control of the fires.”
- As resources are increasingly released from the Gold Complex, area residents and visitors are asked to watch for increased firefighter traffic on area roads and highways, as well as resources continuing to travel to the Gold Complex fire area.
- Closure orders are still in effect on the Tahoe and Plumas National Forests in the area southeast of the junction of California Highways 70 and 89 to the Tahoe Forest boundary west of County Road A 23.
- Area residents and visitors should avoid the fire area. There are still actively burning fuels within the containment lines and other hazards following the fires.
Operational Update
Smith Fire: The Smith Fire is in patrol status and there is a continued firefighter presence in the area. Some isolated smokes may occasionally be visible in the far interior, especially during the afternoons and evenings.
Mill Fire: Firefighters are continuing to work on mop up, suppression repair and patrol. Backhaul of supplies is continuing. There are pockets of interior burning which may become more visible with increased smoke.
Weather
Sunny, hot and dry weather is in the forecast today and into the coming week.
Wildland Fire Prevention
The Plumas National Forest is currently under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and the Tahoe National Forest is now in Stage 3 Fire Restrictions. Be familiar with the restrictions for the national forest you are planning to recreate on. If you are in an area on the Plumas National Forest where you can have a campfire, make sure it is dead-out and cold to the touch. Be careful with anything that can spark a wildfire. Report suspected wildfires by calling 911.
Information submitted by Plumas National Forest
