Firefighters Attack Blazes in Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra Counties

Dry fuels, wind, and lightning set the stage for a busy weekend for area firefighters, who responded to three fires on the Plumas and Tahoe National Forests between Saturday afternoon and Monday afternoon.

The Elephant Fire was reported around 1:30 PM Saturday afternoon on the east side of Highway 49 between Vinton and Loyalton in an area burned by the Loyalton Fire in 2020. The fire, burning eastward in grass and sagebrush, grew to 2300 acres by Saturday night. Crews from the Forest Service, CAL FIRE and area fire districts worked aggressively over the weekend to contain the fire with hand and dozer lines, while helicopters and air tankers—including Very Large Air Tankers—dropped water and chemical retardant in strategic areas.

Firefighting efforts were challenged by steep terrain and limited access, however, and despite clouds and cooler temperatures on Sunday, strong afternoon winds pushed the fire to the northeast toward ranches in Long Valley between the Sierra Escarpment and Highway 395. The fire perimeter was estimated to cover 6,400 acres by Sunday afternoon as firefighters worked to prepare structures in the fire’s path. Evacuation orders were issued for areas of Lassen County between Highway 395 and the Plumas County line. Rain on Monday helped to slow the fire’s spread, allowing evacuation orders to be downgraded to warnings, but the west side of the fire continued to spread northward into Plumas County.

The Forest Service reported Tuesday morning that the Elephant fire had reached 12,300 acres in Plumas, Sierra, and Lassen Counties and was 5% contained, with more than 500 firefighters from multiple agencies working the fire. No structures have been burned, but the Forest Service noted there is potential for impacts to Chilcoot, as well as Long Valley and Highway 395.

Reports of a fire in the Feather River Canyon were also received around 1:00 PM Saturday afternoon. That fire, named the Twain Fire, is located east of the community of Twain on the north side of Highway 70 in an area burned by the Dixie Fire in 2021. Plumas National Forest reported that firefighters from the Forest Service, Cal Fire, and local and tribal agencies responded immediately and were supported by air resources. The Twain Fire was initially reported to cover 125 acres and reached 276 acres by Saturday night, with 10% containment. Thanks to the efforts of responding resources and moderating weather conditions, the fire did not grow beyond that perimeter and was reported to be 35% contained with no structures damaged as of Tuesday morning. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Thunderstorms that moved through the area Monday brought heavy rain to Sierra Valley and Portola and also sparked a fire, named the Clouds Fire, in Plumas National Forest west of Beckwourth Peak near Carman Saddle. The Forest Service reported Monday evening that the Clouds Fire was fully contained at about half an acre.