Firefighters in Plumas County continue to battle the growing Chips Fire.
The brushfire started last Sunday morning, about 20 miles northwest of Quincy. The U.S. Forest Service says the fire has now grown to 9,231-acres and is zero percent contained. Full containment is expected for Saturday, August 18th. Fire officials say the blaze is human-caused.
According to the U.S. Forest Service:
Butt Valley Reservoir recreation facilities administered by PG&E (Ponderosa Flat Campground, Cool Springs Campground, Ray Adams Day Use and Boat Launch as well as Yellow Creek Campground) are closed due to the fire. Maggie's Trailer Park and Little Haven remain under a precautionary evacuation notice. Residents in a area of precautionary evacuation should be prepared to evacuate if conditions warrant. A hard closure remains in place along Caribou Road from Highway 70 to Butt Lake. Gansner Bar, North Fork, and Queen Lily USFS campgrounds remain closed. Communities of Meadow Valley, Chester, Canyon Dam, Greenville, and Susanville area are not threatened at this time, nor are those to the far west including Paradise, Jarbo Gap, Concow, etc. A fire closure area has been established for both the Plumas and Lassen National Forests and will be in place until the area is safe.
For more information, call the Forest Service at 530-283-7890. Also, check inciweb.org for additional updates.
The Chips Fire also made for some hazy skies across the Truckee Meadows the past few days.
For the latest air quality information in *our* area, call the Washoe County Health District at 775-785-4110.
Travelers should check Highway 70 conditions regularly by calling 800-427-ROAD or going to www.dot.ca.gov
