Willard, Lassen County

Willard, Lassen-Modoc Unit, Cal Fire. Five miles west of Susanville, CA. Timber, brush and tall grass. Minimal fire behavior.

September 21, 2016 at 9:05 AM

The Willard Fire is now 98% contained. Mop up operations continued yesterday, as crews worked to put out hotspots prior to the increased winds that were expected. A reconnaissance flight yesterday showed little smoke on the incident. Above normal temperatures and low humidities through Wednesday will keep crews monitoring the receptive fuels on the interior portions of the fire. Full containment of the Willard Fire is expected this evening.

September 19, 2016 at 7:31 AM

Yesterday, firefighters continued mop up operations. A Fire weather watch is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening for gusty winds and low humidity for portions of northeast California. Today, firefighters will continue to patrol the fire, extinguishing hot spots and ensuring fire lines are secure.

September 18, 2016 at 9:29 AM

Fire activity remained minimal during the night as crews worked to extinguish hot spots and improve containment lines. Damage assessment has been completed. Fire suppression repair continues in an effort to minimize the effects of the fire’s damage. Residents are urged to use caution while driving in the area, as personnel are still actively working the fire. For more information on how to prepare for wildfires, go to: www.readyforwildfire.org

September 17, 2016 at 8:39 AM

Fire activity remained minimal during the night as crews continued to extinguish hot spots and improve containment lines. Damage assessment has been completed. Fire suppression repair continues in an effort to minimize the effects of the fire’s damage.

September 16, 2016 at 6:55 AM

All road closures and traffic control points have lifted. 1 minor injury reported.

Crews will continue to work mopping up and improving containment lines. Fire suppression repair is ongoing in an effort to minimize the effects of the fire’s damage.

September 15, 2016 at 8:32 AM

There was minimal fire activity last night. Crews continue to improve containment lines on all sides of the fire. Fire suppression repair is ongoing in an effort to minimize the effects of the fire’s damage.

1,770 firefighters are assigned to the incident. Cooperating Agencies: USFS LNF, BLM, Susanville City, Susanville Police, Sierra Army Depot, Standish Litchfield Fire, Milford Fire, Janesville Fire, Lake Forest Fire, Hamilton Branch Fire, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, Red Cross, Lassen County OES, Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, Susan River FD, Susanville City Fire, Bureau of Land Management, CA Office of Emergency Service, California Conservation Corp, and WM Beaty.

September 15, 2016 at 7:37 AM

There was minimal fire activity yesterday. Crews continue to improve containment lines on all sides of the fire’s damage. Damage Inspection Teams continue to survey the fire area to assess the extent of damage. Residents are asked to use caution when driving in the fire area, as personnel are still actively working in the fire area.

September 14, 2016 at 5:54 PM

At 6:00 p.m., all Evacuation Advisories for the Willard Fire area will be lifted.

September 14, 2016 at 8:44 AM

As of 6:00 A.M., all road closures and traffic control points have lifted.

Last night crews continued to make good progress on strengthening containment lines. The fire growth has diminished. Fire suppression repair has begun in an effort to minimize the effects of the fire’s damage. A Damage Inspection Team continues to survey the fire area to assess the extent of damage.

September 14, 2016 at 8:00 AM

Today crews continued to develop and strengthen containment lines. Fire activity and direction can change at any time, be prepared and stay informed.

September 13, 2016 at 6:50 PM

Today crews continued to develop and strengthen containment lines. Fire activity and direction can change at any time, be prepared and stay informed.

Mandatory Evacuations have been downgraded to Advisory and only residents with proper identification will be allowed back into the area. These areas include Gold Run and Hidden Hills Drive as well as the Cheney Creek Drainage East of Devils Corral. All other Evacuation Advisories will remain in effect.

The Red Cross shelter has closed, however they are prepared to reopen should the need arise.

Traffic Control Points will remain at Susan Hills Drive at the 700 block, as well as Gold Run Road at Gold Crest Lane.

September 13, 2016 at 6:00 PM

At 6:00 p.m. Mandatory Evacuations will be downgraded to Advisory and only residents with proper identification will be allowed back into the area. These areas include Gold Run and Hidden Hills Drive as well as the Cheney Creek Drainage East of Devils Corral. All other Evacuation Advisories will remain in effect.

Traffic Control Points:

Will remain at Susan Hills Drive at the 700 block, as well as Gold Run Road at Gold Crest Lane.

Repopulation Awareness

Our responsibility is to make the area safe
Drive Slowly, numerous crews and equipment will be working in and around the roadways
Traffic controls will be in effect.
Hazard Trees – Make sure all trees are safe especially along roadways.
We are doing everything we can to accommodate civilians and get people back into their homes as soon as possible.

Safety Message

If there are electrical wires on the ground, stay clear and contact your local electric company immediately.

Trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if still smoking, should be considered hazardous.

Please drive slowly as emergency personnel are in the area.

Subject to Change Based on Operational Conditions

September 13, 2016 at 9:23 AM

Overnight crews made good progress on the fire and will focus today’s effort to strengthen containment lines to slow the growth of the fire. The steep terrain and dry conditions due to the many years of drought have hampered fire suppression.

Fire activity and direction can change at any time, be prepared and stay informed. With the elevated fire danger, and weather alerts we are asking everyone to use extreme caution and be prepared, remember “Ready, Set, Go”.

Mandatory Evacuations are in place for the Gold Run area and Hidden Valley Drive. Also, Mandatory Evacuations for the Cheney Creek Drainage East of Devils Corral.

Evacuation Advisories are in place for the Susan Hills areas South of Susanville. Residents of River Bench Road and Bauer Road are encouraged to monitor fire activity very closely.

A Red Cross shelter has been set up at The Community Church of Susanville located at 1400 Numma Way, Susanville, near the intersection of Cameron Way.

Small and Large Animals can be evacuated to the Lassen County Fairgrounds – 195 Russell Avenue, Susanville, CA.

Road Closures are at Susan Hills Drive at the 700 block, as well as Richmond Road at Gold Run Road.

September 12, 2016 at 7:42 PM

CALFIRE Team 5 assumed command at 1800 9/12. Moderate fire behavior with wind-driven runs, short-range spotting and backing fire. Downdrafts from thunderstorms increased fire behavior and intensity which challenged existing control lines. Mandatory and advisory evacuations remain in place. Area and road closures in effect. Road Closures are at Susan Hills Drive at the 700 block, as well as Richmond Road at Gold Run Road.

September 12, 2016 at 8:30 AM

The fire is approximately four miles southwest of Susanville.

·         Mandatory evacuations are in place for the Gold Run area and Hidden Hills Drive.

·         Mandatory evacuations are in place in the Cheney Creek drainage east of Devil’s Corral.

·         Evacuation advisories are in place for residents of the Susan Hills areas south of Susanville.

·         Residents of River Bench Road and Bauer Road in Susanville are encouraged to monitor fire activity very closely.

·         The Bizz Johnson and Southside Trails are closed.

An evacuation center is open at the Community Church of Susanville, located on Numa Road near the intersection of Cameron Way. Large animals can be evacuated to the Lassen County Fairground, 195 Russell Avenue in Susanville.

No road closures have taken place, and no structures have been damaged.

CALFIRE is managing the fire with support from federal, state, and local agencies. Firefighters made good progress last night, completing dozer line along the fire’s northern flank, around the head of the fire, and along sections of the fire’s southern flank. According to Incident Commander Lane Caldwell, the priorities for today are to complete and connect dozer lines along the fire’s southern flank and head.

The main goals are to keep the fire east of Willard Rad, south of the Susan River, west of the Susan Hills subdivision, and north of Gold Run.

The following resources have been assigned to the incident so far:
·         29 hand crews
·         104 engines
·         27 dozers
·         11 helicopters
·         4 air tankers

Approximately 1,100 resources are actively working on the fire, and many additional resources are arriving to assist.

A cold front is expected to bring winds from the east/northeast until Tuesday. Possible thunderstorms are predicted, which would bring erratic, gusty winds that may increase fire spotting.

The Willard Fire began at 11:30 am on September 11 along the eastern perimeter of Lassen National Forest. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. If you have information pertaining to the fire investigation, please contact the Susanville Interagency Fire Center at 530-252-6450.

September 12, 2016 at 7:23 AM

Latest CAL FIRE update: 2,500 acres and 5% contained. Active fire behavior with short crown runs, uphill runs and short range spotting. Mandatory evacuations for Gold Run, advisory evacuations for Richmond Road and Susan Hills Drive. CAL FIRE Team 5 has been ordered to the fire.

September 12, 2016 at 6:48 AM

Fire has been mapped at 2,214 acres.

September 11, 2016 at 7:10 PM

The fire is approximately four miles southwest of Susanville.

·         Mandatory evacuations are in place for the Gold Run area and Hidden Hills Drive.

·         Mandatory evacuations remain in place in the Cheney Creek drainage east of Devil’s Corral.

·         Evacuation advisories are in place for residents of the Susan Hills areas south of Susanville.

·         Residents of River Bench Road and Bauer Road in Susanville are encouraged to monitor fire activity very closely.

·         The Bizz Johnson and Southside Trails are closed.

An evacuation center will open at 8:00 p.m. at the Community Church of Susanville, located on Numa Road near the intersection of Cameron Way.

Large animals can be evacuated after 7:30 p.m. to the Lassen County Fairground, 195 Russell Avenue in Susanville.

September 11, 2016 at 6:47 PM

The fire is approximately seven miles southwest of Susanville and west of the Cheney Creek drainage.

Dry air and strong winds from the west and southwest have prompted the National Weather Service in Reno to issue Red Flag warnings through 8 p.m. Sunday evening.

The cause of the Willard Fire is still under investigation. If you have information pertaining to the fire investigation, please contact the Susanville Interagency Fire Center at 530-252-6450.

Long range spotting, torching and crowning. No divert on 7 air tankers due to life safety threats. Mandatory evacuations continue along the Susan River. Mandatory evacuations in place for Cheney Creek. Advisory evacuations for Susan Hills and Gold Run. Threat to the City of Susanville and the Community of Gold Run.

September 11, 2016 at 5:21 PM

New acreage estimate is 800 acres.

September 11, 2016 at 4:00 PM

The Willard Fire is burning south of Highway 36 and west of Roxie Peconom Campground approximately 7 miles southwest of Susanville, Calif. As of 3:45 pm, the fire size was estimated at 200 acres.

Mandatory evacuations are in place along the Susan River near Devil’s Corral.

The Bizz Johnson Trail and Southside Trails are closed.

Residents of the River Bench Road, Bauer Road, and Gold Run and Susan Hills areas of Susanville are encouraged to monitor fire activity very closely.

No road closures have taken place; and no structural damage has been reported yet.

CAL-Fire is managing the fire with support from federal, state, and local agencies. The following resources have been assigned to the incident so far:
More than 35 engine crews
15 hand crews
10 dozers
4 helicopters
7 air tankers

Dry air and strong winds from the west and southwest have prompted the National Weather Service in Reno to issue Red Flag warnings through 8 p.m. Sunday evening.

The cause of the Willard Fire is still under investigation.

September 11, 2016 at 3:24 PM

Tanker 910, a VLAT, is returning to McClellan for reload.

September 11, 2016 at 3:08 PM

The fire is burning in timber and in steep terrain. Winds are gusting at 22 mph. Long-range spotting up to 1/2 mile ahead of the fire.

September 11, 2016 at 2:51 PM

Per CAL FIRE, the fire is now at 200 acres. Additional evacuations are underway. Threat to the City of Susanville and the Community of Gold Run.

September 11, 2016 at 1:28 PM

Mandatory evacuations in place along the Susan River.

September 11, 2016 at 1:19 PM

Currently no structure threat.

September 11, 2016 at 12:59 PM

Fire is burning at a moderate rate of spread, with heavy spotting.

September 11, 2016 at 12:57 PM

The campground has been evacuated.

September 11, 2016 at 12:53 PM

Numerous out of the area strike teams on order, Butte and NEU units are sending resources.

Traffic control is in place at Roxie Peconom.