BTU Lightning Complex Butte County

BTU/TGU Lightning Complex (9 fires), Butte Unit, Cal Fire. IMT 1 (Cal Fire Team 4). Includes previously reported BTU Light Complex 2020 fire. Two miles northwest of Oroville, CA. Timber, brush and tall grass. Active fire behavior with group torching and uphill runs. Numerous residences and energy infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, road and trail closures in effect.

August 31, 2020 at 8:02 AM

Of the 34 fires confirmed in Butte County, eight are being actively staffed with the goal of full suppression. Those eight fires are as follows:

1-2: 94 acres, 92% contained
1-7: 175 acres, 80% contained
1-8: 92 acres, 90% contained
1-12: 947 acres, 55% contained
1-13: 1 acre, 92% contained
2-24: 285 acres, 97% contained
5-4: 927 acres, 97% contained
5-6: 261 acres, 97% contained

Evacuation warning for the areas west of Skyway from Humbug Summit Road south to Road 210B and all areas west to Thatcher Ridge.

The Skyway is closed south of Butte Meadows at Butte Creek to the Humbug Y (intersection of Skyway and Humbug Summit Road). The road will be closed in both directions. Only emergency vehicles will be allowed through the road closure. Due to fire activity in the area the F Line has been closed south of Butte Meadows to Humboldt Road until further notice.

August 29, 2020 at 9:17 AM

Weather conditions continue to encourage fire activity in Butte County. Crews will work to strengthen fire lines and mop up hot spots during the day while high temperature, low humidity, and breezy conditions remain in the area. Less smoke in the skies may allow aircraft to work on the fires at times.

Of the 34 fires confirmed in Butte County, eight are being actively staffed with the goal of full suppression. Those eight fires are as follows:

1-2: 94 acres, 85% contained
1-7: 175 acres, 75% contained
1-8: 92 acres, 95% contained
1-12: 947 acres, 50% contained (acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping)
1-13: 1 acre, 85% contained
2-24: 285 acres, 97% contained
5-4: 927 acres, 97% contained
5-6: 261 acres, 97% contained

August 28, 2020 at 8:24 AM

Warm, dry weather remains in the forecast for the next few days. Crews will continue working toward building containment lines and mopping up hot spots in very steep, difficult terrain.

Of the 34 fires confirmed in Butte County, eight are being actively staffed with the goal of full suppression. Those eight fires are as follows:

1-2: 94 acres, 80% contained
1-7: 199 acres, 70% contained
1-8: 92 acres, 90% contained
1-12: 1050 acres, 40% contained
1-13: 1 acre, 70% contained
2-24: 285 acres, 95% contained
5-4: 927 acres, 96% contained
5-6: 261 acres, 95% contained

Evacuation warning for the areas west of Skyway from Humbug Summit Road south to Road 210B and all areas west to Thatcher Ridge remains in place.

Road closures:

The Skyway is closed south of Butte Meadows at Butte Creek to the Humbug Y (intersection of Skyway and Humbug Summit Road). The road will be closed in both directions. Only emergency vehicles will be allowed through the road closure.

Due to fire activity in the area the F Line has been closed south of Butte Meadows to Humboldt Road until further notice.

August 24, 2020 at 8:24 PM

The 1-12 fire is burning in heavy fuels, including timber, and steep, difficult terrain in the Butte Creek drainage. Firefighters continue to construct and strengthen containment lines around all active fires in the unit.

Of the 34 fires confirmed in Butte County, eight are being actively staffed with the goal of full suppression. Those eight fires are as follows:

• 1-2: 140 acres, 40% contained
• 1-7: 100 acres, 40% contained
• 1-8: 63 acres, 50% contained
• 1-12: 1750 acres, 0% contained
• 1-13: 1 acre, 30% contained
• 2-24: 285 acres, 80% contained
• 5-4 (formerly the Potters Fire): 927 acres, 95% contained (acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping)
• 5-6: 261 acres, 80% contained (acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping)

August 24, 2020 at 8:22 AM

Winds were generally light overnight, and the forecast lightning did not impact the fire area. Moderate fire activity allowed firefighters to continue working to strengthen containment lines and mop up hot spots.

Of the 34 fires confirmed in Butte County, eight are being actively staffed with the goal of full suppression. Those eight fires are as follows:

• 1-2: 140 acres, 40% contained
• 1-7: 100 acres, 40% contained
• 1-8: 63 acres, 50% contained
• 1-12: 1750 acres, 0% contained
• 1-13: 1 acre, 30% contained
• 2-24: 285 acres, 80% contained
• 5-4 (formerly the Potters Fire): 927 acres, 95% contained (acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping)
• 5-6: 261 acres, 80% contained (acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping)

August 23, 2020 at 9:39 PM

Crews had a productive day of strengthening fire lines and mitigating hot spots within the active fires burning in the county. The 1-12 fire northwest of Stirling City continues to grow in the upper Butte Creek drainage, but poses no direct threat to the community at this time.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for Butte County, with the possibility of thunderstorms containing more lightning and little rainfall, as well as gusty winds.

Of the 34 fires confirmed in Butte County, eight are being actively staffed with the goal of full suppression. Those eight fires are as follows:

• 1-2: 140 acres, 40% contained
• 1-7: 100 acres, 40% contained
• 1-8: 63 acres, 50% contained
• 1-12: 1750 acres, 0% contained
• 1-13: 1 acre, 30% contained
• 2-24: 285 acres, 80% contained (acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping)
• 5-4 (formerly the Potters Fire): 1012 acres, 95% contained
• 5-6: 927 acres, 80% contained

August 23, 2020 at 11:37 AM

Firefighters continue constructing and strengthening fire lines and patrolling and monitoring fires that have been contained. Preparations are being made for the possibility of thunderstorms and higher temperatures over the next couple days.

Of the 34 fires confirmed in Butte County, eight are being actively staffed with the goal of full suppression. Those eight fires are as follows:

1-2: 140 acres, 40% contained
1-7: 100 acres, 40% contained
1-8: 63 acres, 50% contained (acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping)
1-12: 1500 acres, 0% contained
1-13: 1 acre, 30% contained
2-24: 319 acres, 80% contained (acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping)
5-4 (formerly the Potters Fire): 1012 acres, 95% contained
5-6: 927 acres, 80% contained (acreage increased due to more accurate mapping)

August 22, 2020 at 8:46 PM

Firefighters had a productive day strengthening containment lines on many of the fires in Butte County. Periods of clearing allowed air resources to assist ground crews in their operations. The 1-12 fire continues to grow in the Butte Creek drainage with difficult access, steep terrain, and heavy fuel.

Of the 34 fires confirmed in Butte County, eight are being actively staffed with the goal of full suppression. Those eight fires are as follows:

• 1-2: 140 acres, 40% contained
• 1-7: 100 acres, 40% contained
• 1-8: 63 acres, 50% contained (acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping)
• 1-12: 1500 acres, 0% contained
• 1-13: 1 acre, 30% contained
• 2-24: 319 acres, 80% contained (acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping)
• 5-4 (formerly the Potters Fire): 1012 acres, 95% contained
• 5-6: 927 acres, 80% contained (acreage increased due to more accurate mapping)

August 22, 2020 at 11:35 AM

Wind, smoke, dry fuels, and difficult terrain continue to challenge firefighters. Resources are constantly being shifted between fires as the need arises. Another round of thunderstorms is in the forecast for the next few days, so crews are working to contain current fires as quickly as possible ahead of the potential weather system.

Of the 34 fires confirmed in Butte County, eight are being actively staffed with the goal of full suppression. Those eight fires are as follows:

1-2: 80 acres, 5% contained
1-7: 100 acres, 30% contained
1-8: 150 acres, 50% contained
1-12: 700 acres, 0% contained
1-13: 1 acre, 10% contained
2-24: 330 acres, 70% contained – no growth expected
5-4 (formerly the Potters Fire): 1012 acres, 70% contained – no growth expected
5-6: 250 acres, 25% contained – no growth expected

August 21, 2020 at 10:00 PM

Good progress was made on containing many of the active fires. Periods of heavy smoke hampered the ability of air resources to help with suppression activities, but at the same time kept fire activity subdued. Periods of clearing caused an increase in fire activity at times, but allowed aircraft to work over the fires.

Of the 34 fires confirmed in Butte County, eight are being actively staffed with the goal of full suppression. Those eight fires are as follows:

1-2: 80 acres, 5% contained
1-7: 100 acres, 30% contained
1-8: 150 acres, 50% contained
1-12: 700 acres, 0% contained
1-13: 1 acre, 10% contained
2-24: 330 acres, 70% contained
5-4 (formerly the Potters Fire): 1012 acres, 70% contained
5-6: 250 acres, 25% contained

August 21, 2020 at 9:59 AM

Crews are actively mitigating multiple 100-1,000 acre fires within the unit. Progress continues to be hampered by weather condition and dry heavy fuels. Some fires were unstaffed overnight due to limited resources. Personnel will continue to construct fire lines, mop up, and tactical patrol of fires within the Butte Zone.

There is an evacuation warning for the Inskip/Philbrook area. Exact evacuation and road closure information can be found at the Butte County Sheriff’s Office website: www.buttecounty.net/sheriffcoroner or call 833-512-5378

August 20, 2020 at 9:33 AM

Many of the 34 confirmed lightning-caused fires in Butte County have been controlled. The formerly named “Potters Fire” is 1012 acres and 50% contained. The 2-24 fire in the Butte Creek Canyon is 330 acres and 50% contained. Neither of these fires are expected to grow or impact residents. Priority is shifting to active fires, all of which are burning in remote areas away from homes.

CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 4 is in command.

August 18, 2020 at 8:58 AM

Butte Lightning Complex [update] 26 fires in the unit, largest is #Pottersfire, 800 acres 0% contained. 2-24 (Forest Ranch/Doe Mill) 330 acres 0% contained. All fires have been located but we are still discovering smokes. Resources have been ordered to assist.