Biscar

Biscar, Northern California District, BLM. Forty miles northeast of Susanville, CA. Brush and grass.

July 26, 2026 at 8:41 AM

A Red Flag Warning will continue through the weekend. A warming and drying trend will further reduce fuel moisture. Fine grass and brush fuels remain dry, flashy, and highly receptive to ignition. Although current fire activity remains minimal, residual heat within the incident may become more active as burning conditions deteriorate. Any new ignition or established spot fire could result in rapid surface spread, short-range spotting, and increased resistance to control.

Fuel conditions exhibit high growth potential due to persistent warming and drying trends. The fire environment becomes acutely critical over the next few days as a Fire Weather Watch for Gusty Winds and Very Low RHs gis in effect through Sunday evening. These atmospheric variables will heavily compound extreme fire behavior, presenting exponential control challenges in rugged, inaccessible terrain.

July 25, 2026 at 7:42 AM Firefighters continue direct extinguishment, mop up, and reinforcement of containment lines along the western flank, from Vincent Springs to Secret Creek and Rye Ranch Springs. Additionally, crew deployed 4,000 ft of firehose along the edge of the fire near the intersection of Smoke Creek Road and Ramhorn Road. On the Southern (Rush Creek) and eastern (Smoke Creek) flanks, firefighters are improving and reinforcing containment lines. 

Fire crews and aircraft assigned to the Biscar Fire responded to a new fire start (now named the Macy Fire) and helped local resources gain rapid containment and suppression with aggressive ground and aerial attack strategies. 

July 24, 2026 at 6:52 AM Firefighters have established good containment lines along the western flank, from Vincent Springs to Secret Creek and to Rye Ranch Springs. Crews continue to strengthen this line and mop up hot spots.  On the southern side, firefighters are making solid progress building fire lines near Rush Creek. Along Smoke Creek to Wilcox Canyon (eastern flank) crews are actively constructing direct containment lines.

Fire Weather: Weather conditions have remained favorable for firefighting efforts, but a shift is on the way. Conditions are expected to change today, with hot, very dry, and increasingly windy weather building Friday and Saturday. Firefighters are preparing for these conditions, which could bring increased fire activity later in the week.

Why the strange name?  Fires are often named after geographic features near the fire, and in this case, Biscar Reservoir is located just a few miles south of where the fire was first reported.  Pierre “Pete” Biscar (1881–1947),  was a French-born rancher who settled in Secret Valley, California, and constructed the first reservoir at the mouth of Snowstorm Canyon.

Incident Objectives:

• Provide safety for first responders and the public through risk analysis and hazard mitigation.
• Minimize acres burned utilizing direct extinguishment tactics.
• Utilize resources where they can be most successful and ensure tactics have a high probability of success.
• Protect and minimize impacts to communities, private property, infrastructure, cultural, natural resources and Sage Grouse habitat.
• Strengthen collaboration and relationships with cooperators, ranchers, tribal communities, and the public by delivering accurate information while seeking opportunities to build new relationships.

Weather Advisory:  A Fire Weather Watch and Red Flag Warnings are in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening for gusty winds and low humidity for northeast California and far northwest Nevada… The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Fire Weather Watch for gusty winds and low humidity, which is in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening. 

July 21, 2026 at 7:13 PM

Active fire is burning in mixed brush, grass, and pinyon-juniper fuels from the eastern Sierra foothills across the Nevada state line. Moderate to high potential for spread toward scattered rural homes, ranches, and powerline corridors due to upslope winds and dry fuels. Primary values at risk include private residences, livestock operations, recreational properties, and critical infrastructure (highway corridors and utility lines). No immediate threat to major communities but smoke is impacting air quality along the HWY-395 corridor. Health/Safety Notes:

• Firefighter fatigue management in place with mandatory rest periods for hand crews and engine companies operating in steep, rocky terrain.
• Heat-related illness prevention emphasized (temps in the 90s°F with low humidity).
• No hazardous materials involved.
• Public urged to avoid area due to poor visibility from smoke and active suppression operations.

Evacuation Information in coordination with Law Enforcement:
Orders, Level 1- GO:
LAS-553

Warnings, Level 2-Set:
LAS-543 LAS-551-A LAS-551-B LAS-551-C

NEVADA — WASHOE COUNTY

Evacuation ORDER (leave immediately):
Grass Mountain, Twin Peaks, Chimney Rock, areas near Smoke Creek Road

Evacuation WARNING:
Burnt Mountain, Poodle Mountain, Black Butte, Rowland Mountain, Gerlach, Cedar HWY, areas of Fox Mountain.

No civilian fatalities or injuries reported. No responders injured. Zero civilians reported missing or trapped. Evacuations: Evacuation Warnings and Orders remain in effect for residences and outbuildings in close proximity to the fire perimeter. No mass notifications required at this time.

July 21, 2026 at 12:02 AM

The Biscar Fire started on July 18, 2026 within Lassen County.  It grew quickly with warm temperatures and strong winds pushing it eastward across Highway 395.  It is currently estimated at around 40,000 acres with 5% containment and has crossed the state line into Nevada.  There was about 10,000 acres of growth today (July 20), primarily to the south and east.  

California Incident Management Team 3 will begin management of the fire on Tuesday Morning.

The threat of thunderstorms in the area increases through Thursday, bringing chances for scattered rain, strong winds, and lightning.

Evacuation Orders: Orders have been issued for the following areas – LAS-543, LAS-551-A, LAS-551-B, LAS-551-C, and LAS-553.  An evacuation order is issued when there is an immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is lawfully closed to public access.

Evacuation Warnings: Warnings have been issued for the following areas- LAS-54, LAS-545, and LAS-555  An evacuation order means there is a potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.

Interactive Evacuation Map is available through https://protect.genasys.com/ 

For shelter information call (530) 254-4500: or visit the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LassenSheriff/ 

Highway Closures: Highway 395 has reopened to alternating one-way controlled traffic.     https://roads.dot.ca.gov/?roadnumber=395  Please use caution when traveling in the area as firefighters may be working near the roads.