Raging Plumas Fire Doubles in Size
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While heavy winds pushed a fire burning in the Plumas National Forest to nearly double its size late Friday, U.S. Forest Service officials said calmer conditions over the weekend should help crews make headway against the blaze.
The Antelope Complex fires expanded from 3,000 acres to nearly 11,500 acres Friday, fueled by downdrafts from thunderstorm cells moving through the area northwest of Reno.
Evacuation orders remained in effect around the Wheeler fire, the largest of nearly a dozen lightning-sparked fires burning about six miles south of Antelope Lake. While all the other fires in the park are contained or staffed, the Wheeler fire continued to burn Saturday with only 10 percent containment.
With the fire moving east Friday, cabins east of Antelope Lake as well as the Janesville grade area of Plumas County were ordered to evacuate. Over 600 firefighters were on the fire lines Saturday with 500 additional firefighters expected to join the effort.
Road closures were also in effect throughout the area, including Beckwourth/Genesee Rd., Genesee Rd. from Indian Valley, Dixie Valley Rd. at Conklin Park and the Janesville grade.
The fires are believed to have been sparked by dry lightning Thursday afternoon between Susanville and Portola.
Officials said that while summer residences and campgrounds in the Antelope Lake area were evacuated as a precaution, no homes or communities were currently threatened.
The Antelope Complex fires expanded from 3,000 acres to nearly 11,500 acres Friday, fueled by downdrafts from thunderstorm cells moving through the area northwest of Reno.
Evacuation orders remained in effect around the Wheeler fire, the largest of nearly a dozen lightning-sparked fires burning about six miles south of Antelope Lake. While all the other fires in the park are contained or staffed, the Wheeler fire continued to burn Saturday with only 10 percent containment.
With the fire moving east Friday, cabins east of Antelope Lake as well as the Janesville grade area of Plumas County were ordered to evacuate. Over 600 firefighters were on the fire lines Saturday with 500 additional firefighters expected to join the effort.
Road closures were also in effect throughout the area, including Beckwourth/Genesee Rd., Genesee Rd. from Indian Valley, Dixie Valley Rd. at Conklin Park and the Janesville grade.
The fires are believed to have been sparked by dry lightning Thursday afternoon between Susanville and Portola.
Officials said that while summer residences and campgrounds in the Antelope Lake area were evacuated as a precaution, no homes or communities were currently threatened.
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