SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Cal Fire reported the death of a first responder working the Dixie Fire Saturday. A representative with Cal Fire told ABC10 the individual was suffering from a previous illness.
The first responder was an Assistant Fire Engine Operator with the Lassen National Forest, according to a spokesperson with the department. He died on Thursday.
No other information was disclosed.
On Sunday, Cal Fire reported that the fire was very active, showing "extreme fire behavior" in the Coyote Hills, Horton Ridge and Ross Canyon areas. The spot fire established in Ross Canyon and off Horton Ridge threaten Dixie Valley, according to Cal Fire.
Operation Section Chief Jeff Surber said the fire has tended to take off in whatever direction the fuels align with.
“This fire continues to move, pretty much where it wants to move because of the dryness of the fuels,” he said.
With the Dixie Valley community being highest priority, firefighters intend to run a portion of the Dixie Fire east and into the previously burned Sugar Fire area. Cal Fire said the fire in the Dixie Mountain State Game Refuge is expected to burn into the edge of Sugar Fire Sunday evening.
On Sunday night, crews in the west zone of the fire saw increased fire activity in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Crews are expected hotter and drier weather throughout the week.
The Dixie Fire is impacting five counties in Northern California: Butte, Plumas, Tehama, Lassen, and Shasta, according to Cal Fire. The fire has burned more than 898,951 acres and is still 56% contained. It's destroyed 688 homes.
Dixie Fire accounts to follow:
- Butte County Sheriff
- Butte County
- Cal Fire
- CAL FIRE Butte Unit/Butte County Fire Department
- Caltrans District 2
- Lassen County Website
- National Forest Closures
- Plumas County Sheriff's Office
- Plumas County Website
- Shasta County Website
- Shasta Sheriff Website
- Shasta 2-1-1 Dixie Info
- Code Red Sign Up
- Tehama County Website
- Tehama Sheriff Website
- Tehama Alert
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.