BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. — The Dixie Fire and the Fly Fire have merged in Northern California, combining to become one of largest wildfires in state history.
According to the latest Cal Fire information, the Dixie fire has grown to 198,021 acres, with containment at 22% contained. The Dixie Fire is now one of the top 15 largest wildfires in California State history, with the potential to grow into the top 10 by the end of the week.
The fire, which started burning on July 13, 2021, is burning near the Feather River Canyon near the Cresta Powerhouse in Butte County.
Temperatures will get warmer than usual, and in the second half of the week, there is a chance of isolated thunderstorms.
Multiple evacuation orders and warnings have been issued and are changing frequently, so residents in the area should monitor frequently. Over 5,400 personnel are working the fire, Cal Fire announced. Richard Lewis, a Red Cross volunteer, said they provide not just food and shelter, but compassion, too.
"You deal with people in the shelter now, they become your family," Lewis said. You listen. You talk. You find out the needs. You find people, if you need a nurse, you get a nurse to come. We’re here also to show that people do care."
More than 10,721 structures are threatened by the fire, 22 have been destroyed along with 14 minor structures. Seven structures have been damaged.
Accounts to follow:
Evacuation orders:
Plumas County
- High Lakes (Plumas County) – Recreational area of Plumas County east of the Butte/Plumas county line
- Plumas/Butte County line east to Twain – Includes both sides of Highway 70 in the areas of Rock Creek, Storrie, Tobin, Belden, Caribou Rich Bar, and Twain
- Meadow Valley at Bucks Lake – Bucks Lake Road at Riverdance and everything west to the Butte/Plumas county line. This includes Snake Lake, Meadow Valley, Tolgate, Bucks Lake, Bucks Lake Highlands, and all surrounding areas
- Caribou Road north to the Humbug Road and Humboldt Road intersection – This includes Belden Reservoir and Butt Valley Reservoir
- Prattville Butt Reservoir Road and everything west of the Butte/Plumas county line – Humbug Road from the intersection of the Humbug-Humboldt Road west to the Butte County line and everything south of the Humbug Road is under a mandatory evacuation order
- The community of Seneca south of Highway 70
- West Shore of Lake Almanor, Prattville, and Canyon Dam – From Canyon Dam northwest to Highway 36 at Highway 89. This includes Big Meadows, Lake Almanor West along with the Rocky Point Campground, the Canyon Dam Boat Launch and Canyon Dam.
- Round Valley Reservoir, Dixie Canyon, Indian Falls – Long Valley (west of Round Valley), Dixie Canyon south to Indian Falls, south of Indian Falls, to the Highway 70/89 junction
- Butterfly Valley, Keddie to Highway 70 at Black Hawk Road, Snake Lake – This includes the Spanish Creek campground, Round House Road, Old Highway (West)
- Greenville and Crescent Mills
- Everything west of Highway 89/36 junction, west along the southside of Highway 36 to the county line
- East side of Keddie, Round House Road and Old Highway (West)
- Taylorsville – All of Arlington Road
- Highway 70 at Blackhawk Road, south to Barlow Road and everything west to Snake Lake
Residents are being asked to evacuate northbound to Highway 147 and then to Chester for Shelter or southbound via Highway 89 and Highway 70 to Quincy. Emergency crews are going door-to-door warning residents to get out.
Butte County:
- Jonesville area
- Philbrook area
- High Lakes area
Read more HERE about the intensified evacuation orders in Plumas and Butte Counties (P Zones 1-33).
Evacuation warning
Plumas County:
- Chester, Lake Almanor Peninsula, and East Shore of Highway 147 – including the greater Chester area, Hamilton Branch, Lake Almanor Peninsula, and East shore. Everything west of Highway 89 between Canyon Dam and Highway 36, west to the county line
- West Quincy – From the top of Cemetery Hill including Quincy Junction Road to Mount Hough Road and everything west
- Genesee Valley – Southeast of Taylorsville up to the Antelope Lake Road and everything south to Brady’s Camp
- North and Eastern parts of Indian Valley – Includes Pecks Valley Road east to North Arm and Diamond Mountain Road
- East Quincy – Highway 70 near Massack and everything west toward Meadow Valley. This includes Chandler Road and Quincy-La Porte Road from Highway 70 to Thompson Creek
Butte County:
- Area to include the Tehama County Line East to Old Loma Road
- Carpenter Ridge East to Skyway
- Skyway North from Humbug Summit line to Butte Creek
- All the Fish Creek area within Lassen National Forest area road
- Pulga and Philbrook Areas East of the West branch of the Feather River
- West of SR70 North of Magalia
- Intersection of SR70 at Pulga Rd, and South of the Plumas County Line.
- Butte Meadows and Inskip areas
Tehama County:
- T Zone 1: to include the area of Colby Creek. The warning will begin at the Butte and Tehama County line, west along the Tehama County Line to the intersection with SR32, north along the SR32 corridor to the intersection with SR36, from the intersection with SR32 and SR36, east along SR36 to the intersection with Plumas and Tehama County Line.
- T Zone 2: to include the area of Mill Creek. An evacuation warning has been issued by the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office for the areas and communities south of the Mill Creek community continuing south to the community of Campbellville and east to highway 32.
Evacuation centers
- Spring of Hope Church, 59 Belle Lane Quincy, CA 95971
- run by the American Red Cross California Gold Country Region
- Ridgeway Park, 19725 Ridge Road, Red Bluff, CA 96080
- Plumas County Animal Services, 201 N Mill Creek Rd Quincy, CA 95971
- Veterans Memorial Hall at 180 Gay St. in Chester, CA
Road Closures
Plumas County
- Road A13 at CA147
- State Route 70 at the North junction with State Route 89 Greenville Wye
- State Route 70 at West Chandler Road
- State Route 70 westbound at Gansner Park Drive
- State Route 70 at East Chandler Road
- Quincy Junction Road at Chandler Road
- State Route 89 at Arlington Road
- State Route 36 at State Route 89
- State Route 89 at State Route 147
Butte County:
- State Route 70 at Deadwood Road
- Humboldt at Bambi Inn
- State Route 32 at Upper Humboldt Road
Tehama County:
- State Route 32 at State Route 36
- For current State Highway/Route information visit roads.dot.ca.gov
Butte County Evacuation Map
A live evacuation map from Butte County is available below.
Wildfire Map
An updated map of the acerage 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.