Saddle, Paradise in Butte County

Saddle, Butte Unit, Cal Fire. Six miles southeast of Paradise, CA. Timber, brush and chaparral. Minimal fire behavior.

September 11, 2016 at 10:03 AM

Fire crews continue to work on increasing and strengthening containment lines. Some smoke from active fire well within the perimeter of the containment line is visible.

September 10, 2016 at 2:17 PM

Fire crews continue to work on increasing and strengthening containment lines. Some smoke from active fire well within the perimeter of the containment line is visible. Fire crews will continue their work for several days.

September 9, 2016 at 10:38 AM

The Lime Saddle Marina & Campground and the Lake Oroville Boat Ramp at Lime Saddle are now open to the public. The North Forebay Recreational area is closed to the public and is being used at the Base Camp for the incident.

September 9, 2016 at 7:14 AM

Fire crews continue to work on increasing and strengthening containment lines.

The North Forebay Recreational area is closed to the public and is being used at the Base Camp for the incident.

September 8, 2016 at 4:16 PM

CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire investigators have determined the fires on Pentz Road that occurred on Monday, September 6th, 2016 were caused by a malfunctioning vehicle with a faulty exhaust system.  Investigators would like to thank local citizens for their assistance during this investigation. “This is a stark reminder of how easily a fire can start in the tinder dry vegetation”, stated Chief Darren Read.  “We want to remind all vehicle owners to keep their vehicles in sound mechanical condition.  Poorly operating vehicles are a risk to everyone.” 95% of all wildfires that CAL FIRE responds to are caused by the activity of people. One Less Spark means One Less Wildfire. For more fire prevention tips visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.

September 8, 2016 at 8:40 AM

Fire crews worked throughout the night to gain containment.  The fire is 60% contained with acreage unchanged at 850.

September 7, 2016 at 5:02 PM

Evacuations are lifted as of 6:00 p.m. tonight

Concow School will reopen on Thursday

Nelson Bar Road at Lunt Road will reopen at 6:00 p.m. tonight

The fire size has not increased size over the last 24 hours. Significant progress has been made by the fire crews to increase and strengthen containment lines. Access to and working in the steep terrain remains a challenge.

All small animals are in the process of being reunited with their owners and the shelter will be closed this afternoon

Large Animal at Camelot is now closed.

September 7, 2016 at 9:48 AM

At 3:00 p.m. today, all evacuation orders and warnings will be lifted with the following exception:

An Evacuation Order will remain in place for all residents on both sides of Pentz Road from Logo Vista to Messilla Valley Road.

September 7, 2016 at 8:22 AM

Crews gained containment on the fire overnight.  The fire remains at 850 acres and is 50% contained.

September 7, 2016 at 6:07 AM

Residents are urged to use caution when traveling in the fire areas. Emergency equipment and personnel will be responding and working throughout the day and night.

September 6, 2016 at 6:47 PM

Before 6 p.m. today Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E ) crews rebuilt power lines to restore electricity to 40 of the 55 customers without power shortly after the fire started Monday evening. Crews are working 16-hour days to speed up restoration and most of the remaining 15 customers and damage are expected to be restored Wednesday as Cal Fire allows more access to burned areas.  Crews also continued to treat unburned poles with fire retardant in areas the fire still threatens PG&E facilities in lower Paradise and west of Concow.

September 6, 2016 at 6:00 PM

Large animal shelter at Camelot Equestrian Park is now closed.

September 6, 2016 at 5:56 PM

Air and ground crews worked throughout the day to strengthen the containment lines. The steep terrain and the evening canyon winds continue to challenge the fire fight. Residents are asked to be aware of their surroundings and be ready to evacuate if needed.

Evacuations Orders:
Pentz Road from Malibu Drive to Messilla Valley Road and all road connecting to Pentz Rd.
Concow Road from Hwy 70 to and including Jordan Hill Road, Granite Ridge Rd. and Deadwood Rd.
Pinkston Canyon Road and all roads leading off of Pinkston Canyon Road.
Nelson Bar Road

Evacuation Warnings:
Pentz Road from Malibu Drive to Canyon View Drive.

Injuries: None
Cause: Under Investigation
Structures Threatened: 300
Structures Destroyed: 3

Evacuation Shelter:
Neighborhood Church, 2801 Notre Dame Blvd., Chico

Animal Shelters:
Small Animal – 2279 Del Oro Ave., Oroville
Large Animal – Camelot, 1985 Clark Road

Road Closures:
Pentz Road from Pearson Rd. to Messilla Valley Road
Lunt Road at Highway 70

Cooperating Agencies: BCSO, CHP, State Parks, Cal Trans, NVADG, Butte County Public Works, Town of Paradise Public Works, Paradise P.D. Butte EMS, Butte County Search & Rescue. USFS, BLM

Additional Information:

For assistance with animal evacuations or sheltering, contact North Valley Animal Disaster Group at 895-0000.

Residents are urged to use caution when traveling in the fire areas. Emergency equipment and personnel will be responding and working throughout the day and night.

Feather River Hospital is open and accepting and treating patients as normal.

The Fire Information Line has been experiencing technical issues, but all lines are up and staffed at this time. Thank you for your patience and please continue to call the Information Line at 530- 538-7826.

Concow School is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

September 6, 2016 at 12:36 PM

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E ) crews worked through Monday night and continue today to pre-treat wooden power poles ahead of the Saddle Fire in Butte County. Crews applied a fire retardant to more than 200 wooden poles south of Paradise and west of Concow, where the Saddle Fire poses the greatest threat to PG&E facilities. The retardant is mixed with water and sprayed by hose onto power poles. It is the same retardant used in plane drops and will last until the rainy season. PG&E estimates 20 to 25 wooden poles were burned in the fire on Sunday. This morning Cal Fire deemed it safe for PG&E crews to enter some of the burn area to assess damage and begin repairing poles and wires. PG&E expects to begin restoring power today to some of the 55 customers without power as repairs get underway.

September 6, 2016 at 11:22 AM

Concow School is closed Tuesday and Wednesday

September 6, 2016 at 10:42 AM

Small animal shelter open at 2279 Del Oro and Mono for animals evacuated from #SaddleFire.

September 6, 2016 at 10:14 AM

Per California State Parks: : North Thermalito Forebay & Lime Saddle campground, marina and day use areas are closed until further notice.

September 6, 2016 at 9:48 AM

Feather River Hospital remains open at this time. The latest update estimates the fire at 840 acres, 10% contained. Fire is established in the east side of Feather River and Concow Creek drainage.

September 6, 2016 at 8:31 AM

Per North Valley Animal Disaster Group: Shelters will open for small animals and large.  Shelter volunteers report to small animal shelter, 2279 Del Oro, Oroville.

A large animal shelter will be open at Camelot, 1985 Clark Rd (Hwy 191), Butte Valley.

September 6, 2016 at 8:11 AM

Smoke from the Saddle Fire to spread through the Foothills and Sacramento area.

September 6, 2016 at 7:18 AM

PUSD schools in session today. Buses will not transport in road closure areas off Pentz Road South of Pearson and Stearns to Pearson.

September 6, 2016 at 6:35 AM

A total of 5 fires started on Pentz Road and rapidly grew in size. The fires are burning on both sides of the West Branch of the Feather River, S.E. of Paradise and West of Concow. Residents are asked to be aware of their surroundings and be ready to evacuate if needed.

Evacuations Orders:
– Pentz Road from Malibu Drive to Missilla Valley Road and all road connecting to Pentz Rd.
– Concow Road from Hwy 70 to and including Jordan Hill Road, Granite Ridge Rd. and Deadwood Rd.
– Pinkston Canyon Road and all roads leading off of Pinkston Canyon Road.
– Nelson Bar Road

Evacuation Warnings:
– Pentz Road from Malibu Drive to Canyon View Drive (Paradise Zones 8 and 14).

Evacuation Shelter:
– Neighborhood Church, 2810 Notre Dame Blvd., Chico

Injuries: None
Cause: Under Investigation
Structures Threatened: 300
Structures Destroyed: 3

Road Closures:
– Pentz Road from Pearson Rd. to Missilla Valley Road
– Lunt Road at Highway 70

Cooperating Agencies: BCSO, CHP, State Parks,Cal Trans, NVADG, Butte County Public Works, Town of Paradise Public Works, Paradise P.D.

Additional Information:

For assistance with animal evacuations or sheltering, contact North Valley Animal Disaster Group at 895-0000. Residents are urged to use caution when traveling in the fire areas. Emergency equipment and personnel will be responding and working throughout the day and night.

September 5, 2016 at 10:13 PM

Per CAL FIRE: Concow Elementary School at 11679 Nelson Bar Road will be CLOSED tomorrow September 6th. Lunt Road is closed at Hwy 70.

September 5, 2016 at 9:37 PM

Staging area is at Spring Valley School on Penz Rd.

Earlier this afternoon, the fire spotted over the West Fork of the Feather River.

September 5, 2016 at 8:41 PM

Latest estimate now at 400 acres.

North Valley Animal Disaster Group (NVADG) has been activated. 530-895-0000 for animal evacuation needs.

September 5, 2016 at 7:51 PM

Evacuation Center open at Neighborhood Church of Chico, 2801 Notre Dame Blvd. for residents evacuating from the Saddle Fire.

September 5, 2016 at 6:46 PM

Current evacuations issued for both sides of Pentz Rd between Logo Vista and Missilla Valley.

Evacuation warning for Nelson Bar, Middleton Lane and Pentz Rd from Malibu Drive to Marywood Drive.

Pentz Road From Pearson Rd to Durham Pentz. Pearson Rd to Stearns Rd is also closed.

Started as 4 separate fires burning in brush with a moderate rate of spread, powerlines are down, structures threatened and evacuations are in progress.