Fire officials say the Chips Fire, burning between Chico and Susanville, remains 42,000+ acres. Containment remains 20%. Full containment still scheduled for August 31st.
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To register cell phones with the Plumas County Emergency Notification System visit http://countyofplumas.com/index.aspx?nid=2163.
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So far, this fire has cost $17.5 million to fight and the cause remains under investigation.
Officials say the fire is threatening 900 homes, four commercial buildings and 36 outbuildings. The 940 structures considered threatened include the following communites: Lake Almanor West, Almanor, Pratville, the Big Meadows subdivision, Canyondam, Belden, Rush Creek, and Seneca, and structures along Caribou Road.
The community of Seneca remain under a mandatory evacuation. The Caribou Road from the junction of Highway 70 to Butt Lake Dam as well the Butt Lake Dam, Ohio Valley Road, Butt Lake Road, Humbug/Humboldt and all additional secondary roads West of Highway 89 between Canyondam and the Humbug/Humboldt Road are under a "Hard Closure". Additional evacuations may be necessary depending on fire activity.
Sheriff's Voluntary Evacuations are now in place for Rush Creek, Canyondam, and Big Meadows. The Sheriff's Advisement for other communities along Highway 89 including Prattville, Almanor, and West Almanor and East Shore Residence (Hwy 147) remains in effect. Residents between Tobin and Twain on Highway 70 are under a Sheriff's Advisement to develop a family evacuation plan. This area includes Belden, Maggie's Trailer Park, and Little Haven. Planning to provide shelter arrangements for local residents will be based on the locations and extent of any new mandatory evacuations issued by the Sheriff's Office.
Butt Valley Reservoir recreation facilities administered by PG&E (Ponderosa Flat Campground, Cool Springs Campground, Ray Adams Day Use Area and Boat Launch, as well as Yellow Creek Campground) are closed due to the fire. Gansner Bar, North Fork, and Queen Lily USFS campgrounds remain closed. The Little Grizzly dispersed camping area and High Lakes OHV area, are also closed.
Communities west of the fire area including Paradise, Jarbo Gap, and Concow are not threatened at this time.
The Plumas and Lassen National Forests have expanded the original closure areas due to the fire's growth. The closures will remain in place until the area is safe for the public to enter. Pacific Crest Trail hikers may bypass the affected area by hiking Highway 70/89 or catching a bus with Plumas Transit to Chester, CA (weekdays only).
Voluntary evacuations are now in place for Canyondam, Big Meadows and Rocky Point Campground. Residents between Tobin and Twain on Highway 70 are under a Sheriff's Advisement to develop a family evacuation plan. This includes Belden, Maggie's Trailer Park, and Little Haven.
The Plumas County Sheriff's Office says if anyone needs help with shelter, you're being urged to call them at (530) 283-6300. They will coordinate shelter arrangements through the Plumas County Office of Emergency Services.
Drivers are encouraged to use caution on Highway 70 and Highway 89 due to increased fire traffic. Travelers should check highway conditions at 800-427-ROAD or go to www.dot.ca.gov
Smoke will continue to pose health concerns for the public. Local air quality conditions and forecasts are available at http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.main
To report power outages - and to get updates - call PG&E's 24-hour emergency and customer service line at 1-800-743-5002.
For more updates on the Chips Fire, go to http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3052/
