PLUMAS COUNTY, Calif — Update: 8:30 p.m.
The largest wildfire of 2019 has reached 52% containment as more than 2,000 personnel continue fighting the Walker Fire.
Located 11 miles east of Taylorsville, Calif., the Walker Fire has burned around 52,282 acres.
Firefighters are preparing the perimeter of the fire for critical fire weather that's expected on Sunday. A Red Flag Warning began on Saturday as firefighters expect 40 mph winds on Sunday.
Mandatory evacuations are still in effect for Murdock Crossing and Stony Ridge areas. Evacuation advisories are in place for the Antelope Lake, Frank's Valley, Flournoy Bridge, and Milford areas.
Road Closures include Janesville Grade, Genesee Valley Road at the Flournoy Bridge, Antelope Lake Road from the Flournoy Bridge to Antelope Dam, and beginning at the Flournoy Bridge turnoff, the 111 Beckwourth-Genesee Road is closed through the fire area.
Original Story:
Crews fighting the Walker Fire, California's largest wildfire of 2019, are focusing on protecting structures in the area.
Containment jumped heading into the weekend, with the Walker Fire now listed as 42% contained. The fire, which has burned 51,872 acres in the Plumas National Forest, is located about 11 miles east of Taylorsville, Calif. No structures have yet been destroyed.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect because of forecasted 40 mph winds over the weekend. Temperatures for the area will be warmer than normal with humidities in the teens. The CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department continues to report smoke drifting into Butte County from the Walker Fire.
Officials with the Plumas National Forest have issued a Forest Order for the Mt. Hough and Beckwourth Ranger Districts, which means National Forest trails and roads, as well as the land, within the area of the Walker Fire are closed to the public.
Evacuation orders are still in effect for the Murdock Crossing and Stony Ridge areas. However, the Plumas County Sheriff Office has reduced the evacuation level from Mandatory to Advisory in all other areas.
Highway 395 is open to through traffic. However, the following roads are closed:
- Janesville Grade
- Genesee Valley road at the Flournoy Bridge
- Antelope Lake road from the Flournoy Bridge to Antelope Dam and beginning at the Flournoy Bridge turnoff
- the 111 Beckwourth-Genesee road is closed through the fire area.
The official cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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