BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. — The largest fire in the county just keeps growing.
The Dixie Fire is impacting five counties in Northern California: Butte, Plumas, Tehama, Lassen, and Shasta, according to Cal Fire. The fire has burned 865,703 acres and is now 55% contained.
Even though State Route 36 has reopened for Lassen County, Cal Fire says evacuation orders are still in place in certain areas.
Work continued in Lassen Volcanic National Park as firefighters removed dead standing trees and are expected to do so again on Friday. The move will let firefighters work on the fires edge to help with containment in the area. Mop up continues in the Janesville area, but several resources have been moved near Davis Lake and along the Highway 395 corridors.
In the east zone, a portion of the fire that grew eight miles northeast toward Black Mountain reached the escarpment above Highway 395. Dozer line is being built on either side of the fire, but spots fires hindered efforts as the fire made its way into the Dixie Mountain State Game Refuge.
Around 5 p.m., fire officials issued new evacuation orders for the Milford and Herlong area.
Click here to see the latest evacuation information and maps.
As some areas repopulate, officials are encouraging people to stay on guard as it relates to fire conditions. Smoke coming from trees and stumps might be seen for days after people return home and, if people see any active flames near homes or businesses, officials are asking them to call 911.
At this time, 1,282 structures have been destroyed in the fire and 92 structures have been damaged. Of the structures destroyed, about 688 were homes. More than 12,000 structures are threatened by the fire.
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
Plumas County:
- All shelters in Plumas County have been consolidated to the Holy Family Catholic Church at 108 Taylor Ave, Portola.
Tehama County:
- Los Molinos Veterans Hall 7980 Sherwood Blvd, Los Molinos, CA
96055
NOTE: The Lassen High School shelter has closed
American Red Cross: Public Information Line (855)-755-7711
Animal Evacuation Centers:
Plumas County:
- Plumas County Fairgrounds 204 Fairground Road, Quincy
(large animals) - 201 Mill Creek Road, Quincy
(small animals) - Recreation Center 101 Meadowview Lane, Chester
Tehama County:
- Tehama County Complex 1830 Walnut Street, Red Bluff
(large and small animals)
Wildlife Rescue
- Response for injured wildlife: 1-800-942-6459
- Gold Country Wildlife Rescue: 1-530-885-0862
Dixie Fire Structure Status Map
A live map showing which structures have been destroyed or at risk is available below.
Evacuation Map
A live evacuation map is available below.
Wildfire Map
An updated map of the acreage of the Dixie Fire.
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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: Dixie Fire: 844,000 acres burned, 52% contained | California Wildfires