Backbone

Backbone, Snowtent Road off Graniteville on the San Juan Ridge in Nevada County. Heavy timber, very difficult access.

July 26, 2021 at 12:02 AM

Fire is now fully contained. Resources at scene will be committed for another four hours.

July 25, 2021 at 11:17 PM

Backbone IC is starting to release engines and water tenders back to their stations.

July 25, 2021 at 10:56 PM

Medic 3 is staging at the Country Store. Firefighters are completing line around the fire. Mop-up operations will continue throughout the night after that.

July 25, 2021 at 10:18 PM

IC reports they have knockdown on the fire, still working some hotspots. Forward progress has been stopped.

July 25, 2021 at 10:08 PM

Resources at scene should be sufficient, IC will be releasing some of the resources shortly.

July 25, 2021 at 9:50 PM

Backbone IC reports the fire still at 1/2 acre burning at a slow rate of spread with low potential for growth. No structures or infrastructure threatened.

July 25, 2021 at 9:45 PM

Backbone IC has requested one ambulance to the incident.

July 25, 2021 at 9:38 PM

Suspects detained by Nevada County Sheriff’s deputies. Firefighters making progress working on cutting line.

July 25, 2021 at 9:28 PM

Malakoff State Parks is not impacted by the fire.

July 25, 2021 at 9:21 PM

Backbone IC reports the fire is still holding, the main problem is access. Law enforcement is in the area and may have detained a subject.

July 25, 2021 at 9:10 PM

Firefighters are bringing in equipment via various Forest Service roads, no easy access for the dozers.

July 25, 2021 at 8:56 PM

Air Attack is returning to Grass Valley, firefighters are at scene and the area is secure for now.

July 25, 2021 at 8:52 PM

IC is now reporting two suspects, reporting the location [which we will not report] for law enforcement to respond.

July 25, 2021 at 8:49 PM

Backbone Air Attack reports firefighters have run into a suspicious subject running through the area, possibly aggressive or under the influence. Safety alerts for all units responding to the fire.

July 25, 2021 at 8:46 PM

Fire is continuing to hold at 1/2 acre, still burning at a slow rate of spread.

July 25, 2021 at 8:41

PM Backbone IC reports the fire is holding at 1/2 acre, checked by some roads. IC is requesting one additional hand crew and one dozer.

July 25, 2021 at 8:36 PM

Backbone Air Attack is releasing the tankers and the helicopter due to low light. Both Tankers 88 and 89 dropped full loads of retardant around the fire.

July 25, 2021 at 8:33 PM

As a reminder, the Edwards Crossing bridge cannot take the weight of engines, much less of dozer transports. All resources have to take Hwy 49 from Nevada City to North San Juan, then make their way to Graniteville Road.

July 25, 2021 at 8:25 PM

All resources to stage at Graniteville Road and Snowtent Road. There is no direct access to the fire, firefighters will have to hike in to the fire.

July 25, 2021 at 8:19 PM

Firefighters will make access to the fire from Graniteville Road to Moore’s Flat Road. Air Attack reports the first engine is still a few minutes out. Fire is about 1/4-1/2 acre now. Canceling the helicopter due to low light. Air Attack will remain over the fire for a few more minutes before having to return to Grass Valley Air Attack Base.

July 25, 2021 at 8:13 PM

Air Attack puts the fire on Snowtent Road on the south side of Humbug Creek

July 25, 2021 at 8:07 PM

Tankers 88 and 89 are over the fire. Helicopter is on order.

July 25, 2021 at 8:04 PM

Air Attack 230 has the smoke in sight, 1/4 acre in heavy timber at a slow rate of spread with very difficult access. This will be the Backbone incident.

July 25, 2021 at 7:58 PM

Updated location is now Cruzon Grade on the San Juan Ridge.

July 25, 2021 at 7:51 PM

Now a full wildland dispatch for the fire on Backbone Ridge off Cruzon Grade, multiple calls reporting a column.

July 25, 2021 at 7:41 PM

Reported possible vegetation fire in the Backbone Ridge area off Bear Trap Springs Road northwest of Malakoff Diggins. Tahoe National Forest units dispatched to check for smoke.