PLUMAS -- Firefighters are continuing to hold and mop-up along the Caribou Road and Highway 70 where the CHIPS fire has now reached the roadways.
Thursday night the crews aggressively attacked a 200 acre spot fire beyond the north containment line south of Grizzly Campground.
But more fires are breaking out. They are now reporting a new spot fire east of Mosquito Creek and north of Feather River's North Fork. So far, the spot fire is within the contingency lines that are being improved between Butt Lake and Feather River North Fork.
According to the fire crew, their current goal is to keep the fire south of Humbug Summit Road, north of Highway 70 and Tobin, west of the Butt Lake transmission lines, and East of Philbrook Reservoir. Crews are stationed in communities along the Feather River Canyon to provide structure protection.
TRAFFIC IN THE AREA:
The California Department of Transportation is implementing traffic controls along Highway 70 due to safety concerns. Travelers should check Highway 70 conditions regularly (800-427-ROAD / www.dot.ca.gov). Motorists should expect delays and need to anticipate firefighting personnel and apparatus on the road in the vicinity of the fire.
CLOSED CAMPGROUNDS:
-- Butt Valley Reservoir recreation facilities administered by PG&E (Ponderosa Flat Campground) closed
-- Cool Springs Campground is closed
-- Ray Adams Day Use Area and Boat Launch,as well as Yellow Creek Campground) are closed.
UPDATE ON EVACUATIONS:
Sheriff's voluntary evacuations are in place for the Rush Creek area and an area south of Highway 89 that includes Butt Valley Reservoir and Humbug Reservoir. Residents between Tobin and Twain on Highway 70 are under a Sheriff's advisement to begin developing evacuation plans. This area includes Belden, Maggie's Trailer Park and Little Haven.
A hard closure remains in place along Caribou Road from Highway 70 to Butt Lake. 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. The communities of Meadow Valley, Chester, Canyon Dam, Greenville, and Susanville area are not threatened at this time, nor are those west of the fire area including Paradise, Jarbo Gap, and Concow.
In the interest of firefighter and public safety, the Plumas National Forest has expanded the original closure area due to fire growth. A fire closure area has also been established for Lassen National Forest. Both closure areas will remain in place until the area is safe to enter. Please see the Forest Orders and closure maps on InciWeb (address above). 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). Motorists are encouraged to use caution on Highway 70 in the area of the fire.
News10/KXTV