SIERRA COUNTY, Calif. — August 16 6:35 p.m. update:
Fire crews are still battling a 29,829 acre blaze in Sierra County.
Firefighters still have 0% containment on the fire. The so-called Loyalton Fire started east of Loyalton, CA and is burning north and east next to the areas of Beckworth Pass and Hallelujah Junction.
According to Inciweb, evacuation orders are in place for the following areas:
- Intersection of Red Rock Road (California) and Hwy 395 to the State line
- Scott Road on the north side of Hwy 70
- Intersection of Hwy 49 and 70 east to Hwy 70 and Hwy 395. Hwy 395 south to the state line. This encompasses everything south of Hwy 70 and west of 395.
- Balls Canyon Road, Long Valley Road, Bordertown and Copperfield. Bordertown/Cold Springs are limited to the west of 395.
The north side of Highway 70 and the east side of Highway 395 are under an evacuation advisory. Hwy 70 is closed from Hwy 49 to 395
August 16 11:30 a.m. update:
Highway 395 is open between Doyle and the Nevada border with traffic control in some areas. State Route 284 from State Route 70 to the end of the route is closed as well as State Route 284 from State Route 49 to Highway 395.
The Loyalton Fire has burned 20,000 acres with zero containment according to the Tahoe National Forest.
August 15 11:25 p.m. update:
According to U.S. Forest Services, the Loyalton Fire is estimated at 20,000 acres at this time and is only 5% contained, leading to evacuations in some nearby areas.
The wildfire, which started at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Friday, is currently burning east of Loyalton and southwest of Mount Ina Coolbrith. Forest services officials said the weather is hot and dry, and there is a potential for dry thunderstorms.
A recent report describes “extreme fire behavior” and rapid spread. As such, there are ongoing evacuations in portions of Plumas, Lassen and Sierra Counties.
A smoke column from the Loyalton Fire can be seen throughout the Sierra Valley and North Reno. In addition to the evacuations, Highway 70 is closed from Highway 49 to Highway 395. Highway 395 is closed from Hallelujah Junction to Border Town.
Here is where mandatory and advisory evacuations are taking place:
- Mandatory evacuation Chilcoot, south of Highway 70
- Mandatory evacuation Long Valley Road and Scott’s Flat Road south of Highway 70
- Mandatory evacuation west of Highway 395 from Hallelujah Junction to Cold Springs
- Advisory evacuation in Vinton
- Advisory evacuation in Chilcoot, north of Highway 70
- Advisory evacuation east of 395 from Hallelujah Junction to Cold Springs
- Advisory evacuation Silver Knolls
According to Cal Fire, in 2019, California wildfires burned just under 260,000 acres from 7,860 incidents. Over 700 structures were damaged or destroyed and three people were killed. This follower two years of some of the “deadliest and most destructive wildfires” in California history.
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 to best prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
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