Containment grows to 43 percent

Cal Fire reported Tuesday evening that containment rose from 40 percent to 43 percent through the day.

After growing 2,075 acres throughout the day Monday, Cal Fire reported the Dixie Fire grew 3,414 additional acres from Monday evening into Tuesday. The fire has burned 733,475 total acres.

On Monday afternoon, Plumas County Sheriff’s Office lifted several evacuation warnings in the Lake Almanor area. This includes the High Lakes recreational area and the entire west shore of Lake Almanor to the Canyondam boat ramp. Evacuation warnings in Butte County are still in effect.

Cal Fire is reporting after fire crews from the west zone of the Dixie Fire relocated to the Milford and Janesville areas Monday, the area is being considered as secured.

After facing challenging weather conditions over the weekend, Cal Fire said crews fighting the Dixie

Fire should be in for more favorable conditions as a new week of work begins, though gusty local winds in the fire zone will persist.

The Dixie Fire, which started July 13 in the Feather River Canyon near the Cresta Powerhouse, has an expected containment date which remains “to be determined.”

Cal Fire reported 10 additional destroyed structures Tuesday morning, bringing the total number of destroyed structures to 1,262 lost. The total number of damaged structures remained at 91. After lowering Monday morning into the evening, Cal Fire reported an additional 158 structures no longer threatened by the Dixie Fire. Currently 11,813 structures in the fire zone remain threatened by the fire.

Cal Fire reported that damage assessment is ongoing, and the numbers of damaged and destroyed structures may change as assessment teams are able to safely access the fire area.

East zone

The eastern edge of the fire line in the Janesville and Milford areas continues to remain secure. Crews continued to prepare and add hoses around the structures.

Fire crews on the southern edge above Antelope Lake continue to work the fire’s edge all the way up the Boulder Ridge Road, securing the line and extinguishing heat along the way.

Cal Fire reports in Genesee Valley, firefighters continue to mop up around structures. Firefighters were attempting to hold the fire Tuesday after it made its way down to the main road. On the Walker slop, Cal Fire added crews and dozers continue to make progress building a direct line.

In Peters Creek, crews are going direct on the fires edge, mopping up and patrolling around all the structures. Cal Fire said PSD drones were used on Monday night to moderate fire behavior as the fire made its way down the hill. Tuesday, crews continued to work prepping houses and minimizing any spread in and around Taylorville. Additional water sources were moved to the area while a contingency line above Taylorsville has been completed.

Black Mountain Hotshots were able to start a line on the southern end of the Grizzly Fire on the west side. The spot fire has not crossed Grizzly Ridge heading south. Bulldozers, feller bunchers, and masticators are working to construct and reinforce indirect lines on Grizzly Ridge. Additional contingency lines construction continues south of Grizzly Ridge.

West zone

In the west zone, Cal Fire said lower humidity allowed for burning conditions to remain active for most of Monday night, primarily in the heavy fuels. In the lower valleys, smoke settled moderating activity in the lighter fuels.

Cal Fire reports fire activity was mainly limited to ground fire and isolated torching outside of the firing operations. Monday’s morning incident update noted considerably drier conditions were observed with relative humidity recoveries in the 50 to 60 percent range for most areas.

With evacuation warnings being lifted, Cal Fire is strongly encouraging returning residents to remain vigilant with regard to current fire conditions. They added some residents may see smoke coming from trees and stumps for days following their return, telling those returning if they are concerned about active flames, call 911 instead of attempting to deal with the fire themselves.

Cal Fire noted Northern California has experienced large fire activity and will likely experience an extended fire season. The state fire agency added fires burning in Northern California are exhibiting extreme fire growth based on critical fuel conditions and have traveled up to eight miles in a single day. Monday evening’s incident update said this year’s fuel conditions are much worse than previous years and have only been aided by wind, causing more significant fire spread.

There are currently no evacuation orders in Butte County. Evacuation warnings remain in effect for for the areas of Butte Meadows, Jonesville, Snag Lake and Lake Philbrook.

Evacuation warnings in Butte County include at Butte Meadows at Humboldt Road and Thatcher Ridge, up to Cherry Hill campgrounds and north to the Butte and Tehama County lines. In Jonesville the warning includes the area of Highway 32 at the Butte and Tehama County line, east to the area of Cherry Hill campground, southeast to Snake Lake, southwest to Skyway at Bull Creek, and north along Skyway to Humboldt Road. The Lake Philbrook area, which includes Philbrook Lake south to Browns Ravine Road, is also under an evacuation warning.

Lassen County Sheriff Dean Growdon said for the most up to date information about road closures follow Caltrans or California Highway Patrol on social media. A full view of the fires burning across California can be found by visiting https://www. fire.ca.gov/incidents.