Firefighters continue to keep fire from jumping Highway 70

As of early Friday night at 6 p.m., the North Complex fire had not crossed Highway 70, but fire officials have equipment and crews on the road, as well as the far side of the Feather River Canyon.

In the evening report, Plumas National Forest indicated the fire is actively burning, gradually heading northeast from Grizzly Dome tunnel. Officials said that favorable f lying conditions allowed heavy helicopters, large air tankers and single- engine air tankers, all using retardant, to slow the fire and support firefighters constructing fire lines.

Crews will continue to work overnight along Highway 70 to monitor for spot fires while watching out for rock and tree rollout making its way onto the road, as trees burn and release rocks and debris down to the roadway.

Equipment and crews from Cal Fire as well as the U. S. Forest Service are stationed on the west and north of the Feather River, building and strengthening contingency lines in case fire crosses over.

Highway 70 is closed from Deadwood Road in the Jarbo Gap area to Highway 89.

On Friday, firefighters have been focused on constructing and reinforcing containment lines both to the north and south of the fire within the highway corridor.

As of early Friday, the fire had burned 317,459 acres and was 79 percent contained. It started Aug, 17 by lightning and has killed 15 people in Berry Creek and Feather Falls.

Casey Cheesbrough of the US Forest Service noted Friday morning that there are still unburned islands inside the fire footprint, including in the Bucks Lake area, along with moderately active burning, which continues to impact valley air quality

Along with more dozer lines west of the canyon, further containment lines are to be built farther north to protect the wilderness area, including tying into the Pacific Crest Trail.

According to the Butte County Sheriff website, evacuation orders are still in place for the area west of Oro- Quincy Highway from Stephens Ridge north to the county line, and both sides of Highway 70 from Pulga Road north to the county line, including Pulga Road and Concow Road north of Rim Road.

Evacuation warnings are still in place for Stirling City, Concow, Big Bend and Yankee Hill and the area of Stephens Ridge Road.

Firefighters are finding members of the public inside the fire closure area, according to Plumas National Forest reports, specifically in the Grass Valley Reservoir and La Porte areas.

“The public is being asked to respect the closures and stay out of the area for public and firefighter safety,” the report stated.