Fires this week on Plumas National Forest

QUINCY, Calif., June 13, 2025 — Following thunderstorms Sunday and Monday, firefighters on the Plumas National Forest have responded to several lightning fires and a human-caused wildfire this week.

Since last Friday, firefighters have responded to 10 lightning fires and three human-caused wildfires.

Weather will continue to be dry over the next several days, with more seasonable temperatures in the forecast along with increased winds.  The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning through Saturday evening that includes the eastern side of the Plumas National Forest for gusty winds and low humidity.

It is expected that with these conditions, holdover lightning fires will become visible in the coming days.

“The Forest took a lot of lightning early this week and we are prepared to respond to resulting fires as they are discovered in the coming days,” said Plumas National Forest Fire Management Officer Martin Senter.  “We need the public’s help by calling 911 to report suspected wildfires, but also to use caution and prevent human-caused wildfires.”

Wednesday afternoon firefighters on the Feather River Ranger District responded to the Shelter Fire located near Brush Creek and the Oro-Quincy Highway in the 2020 North Complex burn scar.  The fire was quickly contained at just under a quarter acre and is now in patrol status.

“The Shelter Fire could have become a much larger incident without the quick reporting by area residents and rapid response by state and federal firefighters,” Senter said.  “We are also seeing conditions where reburning in burned areas is increasingly a risk and it is important for public and firefighter safety to help prevent wildfires in these areas.”

For the lightning response this week, all lightning fires on the Mount Hough and Feather River Ranger Districts are in patrol status or declared out.

Feather River Ranger District:

• Table Fire – located near La Porte Road was one tenth of an acre and is out.
• Letter Fire – located in the 2020 North Complex burn scar near Grizzly Forebay in heavy snags. Fire is approximately 11.1 acres and is now in patrol status.  Area residents and visitors should watch for increased firefighting traffic accessing the fire from Oro-Quincy Highway.
• Poverty – located near Poverty Hill south of La Porte, is estimated to be approximately 1.35 acres and is controlled and in patrol status.
• American 2 – located near American House, is approximately 2.35 acres and is controlled and in patrol status.
• Highlands Fire – located south of Bucks Lake at Bucks Highlands, controlled Monday afternoon at half an acre and is out.
• Ridge Fire – discovered Tuesday near Lumpkin Ridge. Approximately one tenth of an acre and is out.
• Lumpkin Fire – discovered Tuesday near Lumpkin Ridge. Approximately one tenth of an acre and is out.

On the Mount Hough Ranger District:

• Red Bridge Fire – single tree lightning strike near La Porte Road controlled Monday and is out.
• Wolf Fire – located south of California State Highway 89 and northwest of Greenville, controlled Monday at one tenth of an acre and is out. 

Holdover lightning fires can smolder for days and even weeks following a thunderstorm.  It can take several days of dry and warm weather for these fires to become visible. 

Firefighters will continue to monitor conditions and respond to lightning fires as they are discovered in the coming days.

“Our firefighters have done a tremendous job this week, responding quickly and working to keep fires small,” Senter said.  “As we go into the weekend, area residents and visitors can help by being careful with anything that can spark a wildfire so we can continue to focus on lightning fire location and response.”

For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 

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