County evacuation warnings downgraded
Weather change could increase fire activity
Sheriff’s Office issuing only warnings for now for wildfires, but weather change could affect fire activity.
OROVILLE » While containment on the North Complex West Zone fire has grown and some notices have been lifted, shifting weather patterns expected over the weekend could increase fire activity.
A fire weather watch has been issued for Saturday through Monday, meaning fires are more likely to start. Vegetation in the foothills is extremely dry and dense, according to Cal FireButte County, which easily burns. Some of California’s most devastating fires have started in September and October.
Fire crews are working to strengthen containment lines, and some back burning was conducted on Wednesday.
As of Thursday night, the North Complex West Zone is 69% contained, having burned 84,583 acres. Fire fatalities stand at 15 residents of Berry Creek and Feather Falls. A total of 2,218 structures have been destroyed and 111 have been damaged.
Total burned acreage of the entire North Complex is 304,492 acres with 78% containment.
At 5 p.m. Thursday, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office downgraded a previous evacuation order to an evacuation warning for the area of Highway 162 to Whispering Chapel Lane, including the area west to Lake Oroville and the roads accessed from Highway 162 to the east. Residents will be allowed to enter the area until 5 p.m. Friday, and are required to carry proof of residency for re- entry.
Earlier in the day, an evacuation order was downgraded to an evacuation warning for the community of ClipperMills, including the roads accessed to Clipper Mills from La Porte Road between the Butte County lines. This includes the area directly surrounding Sly Creek Reservoir.
BCSO said residents now under an evacuation warning may return to their homes, but are asked to remain alert for potential updates and orders. A map of areas under evacuation orders and evacuationwarnings canbe found at www,buttecounty.net/ sheriff.
Evacuation orders for Encina Grande Road and the remaining areas of Berry Creek still stand.
The Sheriff ’s Office lifted an evacuation warning for the communities of Concow and Yankee Hill on Wednesday evening. The affected area includes Highway 70 from the West Branch Bridge north to Pulga Road, all areas west of
Highway 70 and east of Highway 70 to the north fork of the Feather River.
The area east of Highway 70 above Pulga Road and east of the north fork to the Feather River remain under an evacuation order.
Evacuation warnings are as follows:
• Highway 162fromBidwell Bar Bridge to Simmons Road. Simmons Road to
Big Ridge Road including all roads that connect with Simmons Road. Big Ridge Road will remain closed.
• The area enclosed by Highway 162from Miner’s Ranch Road to Forbestown Road to the Butte County line on the north. Swedes Flat Road on the south. Miner’s Ranch Road to Swedes Flat Rd on the west perimeter. County line on the east perimeter.
• Highway 162from Forbestown Road north to the Bidwell Bar Bridge to include both sides of the roadway.
• Areas north of Forbestown Road to Lumpkin Road including Lake Haven Way and Faye Mar Road all of Stringtown Road and connecting roads.
A local assistance center has opened in Oroville to help those affected by the fires. Located at 1875 Feather River Blvd., it is at the Feather River Parks and Recreation Gymnastics Academy.
Help at the center includes replacing important documents, such as drivers licenses, social security cards, deeds and tax documents, along with updating voter information.
At the Tractor Supply parking lot across the street at 2000 Feather River Blvd., the Federal Emergency Management Agency has opened an area to help fire victims register with FEMA, which the agency recommends to help with the recovery details.
Both the assistance center and FEMA center hours are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office has set up an escort service for residents with urgent needs to return to their properties briefly.
The online document to request an escort into the burned area can be found at https:// bit.ly/SheriffEscortDoc or by calling the Butte County Sheriff’s call center at 552-3010.
More information for fire victims is on the Butte County Sheriff website and social media accounts www.buttecounty. net/sheriffcoroner.
Injured wildlife can be reported to the vets on call with the Wildlife Disaster Network at 1- 800942- 6459.