Crews Halt Pliocene Fire Southeast of Goodyears Bar
Air tankers and volunteer crews held the fire to two acres.
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An air attack helicopter draws water from the North Yuba River near Goodyears Bar. Photo: Deputy Guy / Sierra County Sheriff’s Office.
— Firefighters stopped the forward progress of the Pliocene Fire, a wildfire burning southeast of Goodyears Bar, on Wednesday afternoon, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office said. The fire was held to approximately two acres. Crews remain at the scene improving line around the perimeter.
Smoke became visible in the area around 3:40 PM. Pike and Alleghany volunteer fire departments were called in to assist shortly after. The United States Forest Service initiated a full fire suppression response, and by 4 PM, air attack aircraft were overhead, and water and fire retardant drops began.
An air tanker drops fire retardant over the Pliocene Fire at 4:04 PM. Photo: ALERTCalifornia.
At 4 PM, the fire was estimated at one-half acre to one acre with a moderate rate of spread. By 4:30 PM, the estimate had grown to one to two acres, and the rate of spread was still described as moderate. The Sheriff’s Office later put the fire at roughly two acres and reported that its forward progress had been stopped.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it started in an area hosting an active logging operation.