Mohawk fires quickly contained

Release Date: Sep 19, 2016

QUINCY, California – September 18, 2016 – Several small fires near Sierra Springs Road in eastern Plumas County, were quickly contained by firefighters early Saturday evening. The three fires, all starting south of HWY 70 on private land, were reported mid-afternoon, September 17.

“The response by local Plumas County volunteer firefighting departments & federal fire resources was instrumental in keeping these fires contained to just over 5 acres,” said Matt Peterson, Incident Commander (Plumas National Forest) for the fires. Air support, including a federal helicopter & air attack plane and a Cal Fire air tanker, were ordered from the Grass Valley Air Attack Base. One tanker drop and repeated helicopter drops assisted the ground resources.

“This was a multi-party effort on behalf of the community,” said Peterson, “including the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office & Office of Emergency Services, the CA Highway Patrol & Department of Transportation and the Plumas Rural Electric Cooperative.

Numerous homes in the immediate area were advised of a potential evacuation but were not evacuated and electricity was shut off briefly. Although Highway 70 was closed in both directions for about an hour, travelers were quickly rerouted to nearby roads.

The cause of the fires is yet to be determined.

For information about other fires around the country, visit Inciweb at http://www.inciweb.nwcg.gov .

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