BUTTE COUNTY, Calif — Gusty winds have pushed the nation’s largest wildfire toward a Northern California county seat as firefighters struggle to contain the month-old blaze amid forecasts of more dangerous weather.
Authorities say the Dixie Fire in the northern Sierra Nevada is only a few miles from Susanville, the county seat of Lassen County and home to some 18,000 people, two state prisons and a casino.
Operation Sections Chief Jake Cagle said a fire sparked not far from Janesville, possibly due to lightning. Crews are trying to keep the fire off the escarpment.
Forecasts call for afternoon and evening winds up to 30 mph through Thursday that could drive flames. The fire has already destroyed more than 1,000 homes and other buildings and is only a third contained.
In the west zone of the fire, those winds boosted fire intensity in the afternoon as the fire moved to the east. In the east zone, winds speeds reached 31 miles per hour. Spot fires started south of Peters Creek and beyond Fruit Growers Boulevard.
According to the latest figures from CalFire, the Dixie Fire has burned 578,897 acres and is still just 31% contained.
At this time, more than 1,173 structures have been destroyed in the fire along with 80 that have been damaged.
Accounts to follow:
Evacuations and road closures
Click HERE for in-depth evacuation orders and warnings in Plumas, Butte, Tehama, and Lassen Counties. For current state highway/route information visit roads.dot.ca.gov.
Evacuation centers
- Spring of Hope Church, 59 Belle Lane Quincy, CA 95971
- run by the American Red Cross California Gold Country Region
- Lassen Community College at 478-200 CA-139 Susanville
- Lassen High School 1110 Main St., Susanville, CA
- Holy Family Catholic Church 108 Taylor Ave. Portola, CA
- Recreation Center 101 Meadowview Lane, Chester
- 201 Mill Creek Rd. Quincy (small animals)
- Plumas County Fairgrounds 204 Fairground Road, Quincy (large animals)
- Tehama County Complex 1830 Walnut Street, Red Bluff (large and small animals)
Dixie Fire Structure Status Map
A live map showing which structures have been destroyed or at risk is available below.
Butte County Evacuation Map
A live evacuation map from Butte County is available below.
Wildfire Map
An updated map of the acreage of the Dixie Fire.
WILDFIRE PREPS
According to Cal Fire, 2020 was one of the most severe fire seasons on record as 9,917 wildfires burned 4.2 million acres. Over 9,000 structures were destroyed, and 31 people (civilians and firefighters) were killed.
California also experienced its first "Gigafire" because of the August Complex Fire, burning over 1 million acres by itself. Four of California's top five largest wildfires in state history happened in 2020.
If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and know your community’s evacuation plans best to prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
Some counties use Nixle alerts to update residents on severe weather, wildfires, and other news. To sign up, www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to start receiving alerts.
PG&E customers can also subscribe to alerts via text, email, or phone call. If you're a PG&E customer, visit the Profile & Alerts section of your account to register.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: California Wildfires: Dixie Fire evening update - Aug. 15, 2021