United States Forest Service provides updates on multiple lightning fires in the Plumas National Forest | News
PORTOLA, Calif. – The United States Forest Service says that firefighters on the Beckwourth Ranger District have responded to eight confirmed lightning fires since thunderstorms moved over the Plumas National Forest Friday night.
Most of the fires are burning in remote areas with no evacuations or structures threatened.
Six of the fires are a tenth of an acre. Five are controlled and in patrol status, and one is staffed with firefighting resources.
The largest of the 8 confirmed fires is the Conklin Fire, estimated to be just over a quarter acre in the Conklin Park Campground area.
According to the United States Forest Service, the fire is now contained and is expected to be controlled and in patrol status later Saturday evening.
Firefighters are currently responding to the most recent fire reported just before 5 p.m. in the Frazier Falls area.
At this time, there are no confirmed lightning fires reported on the Feather River or Mount Hough Ranger Districts.
The Forest Service says there is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the area this evening ahead of a drying trend with increasing temperatures and periods of gusty winds later this weekend.
Holdover lightning fires can smolder for days and even weeks following a thunderstorm.
After a wet thunderstorm, it can take several days of dry and warm weather for these fires to become visible.
The Forest Service says that firefighters will continue to monitor conditions and respond to any lightning fires as they are discovered in the coming days.
Officials say that numerous local and visiting wildland firefighting resources are assigned to the Plumas National Forest prepared to respond to wildfires as needed.
Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority this fire season.
Area residents and visitors are asked to be careful with anything that can spark a wildfire and to help prevent additional fires.
The public can also report suspected wildfires by calling 911.