Fire at a glance (numbers)
- Incident Name: Swedes, Bangor
- State: CA
- Lead Agency: BTU
- Size (acres): 496
- Percent Contained: 100%
- Estimate of Containment: September 13, 2019
- Personnel: 52
- Structures Destroyed: 2
Swedes, Butte Unit, Cal Fire. Five miles north of Bangor, CA. Brush and tall grass. Minimal fire behavior.
September 13, 2019 at 7:02 PM
The fire is 100 percent contained. Fire suppression repair continues, but all firefighting resources have been released from the incident.
September 13, 2019 at 7:55 AM
Engine and hand crews will work toward 100% mop up of the entire fire area today. Fire suppression repair is well underway and will account for most of the work on and around the fire line today.
September 12, 2019 at 7:49 AM
Today we transition into a period where local resources take over most of the personnel on the fire line. All eight engines, and two of the four hand crews are based in the Butte Unit, and most outside apparatus and personnel have been released. Crews will again spend the day mopping up, strengthening control lines, and conducting fire suppression repair activities. Firefighters are making good progress despite the steep, rough terrain.
September 11, 2019 at 8:25 PM
Crews spent the day mopping up, strengthening control lines, and conducting fire suppression repair activities. Firefighters are making good progress despite the steep, rough terrain.
September 11, 2019 at 8:49 AM
Weather continued to be in the firefighters’ favor overnight, allowing crews to work well inside the fire perimeter. The focus for today is to start mopping up 100 percent of the fire area. Additionally, an excavator has been brought in to aid fire suppression repair efforts.
September 10, 2019 at 6:59 PM
Crews had another productive day strengthening control lines and mopping up hot spots. The Swedes Fire did not grow, the increase in acreage is due to more accurate mapping of the fire perimeter.
The Forbestown Fire, now included in this update, is 58 acres and 90% contained with crews checking for any remaining hot spots. Damage assessment continues, and we want to remind the public to drive carefully and watch for heavy equipment and large vehicles near the fire.
September 10, 2019 at 7:44 AM
The plan for today is to reinforce those lines and continue mopping up the interior. The Forbestown Fire, which started Friday, September 6, has been included in the Swedes Incident. The Forbestown Fire is 58 acres and 90% contained with crews checking for any remaining hot spots. Damage assessment continues, and we want to remind the public to drive carefully and watch for heavy equipment and large vehicles near the fire.
September 10, 2019 at 7:32 AM
Resources assigned:
25 Engines
8 Dozers
12 Water Tenders
Work continues on improving containment lines and mopping up hot spots in the fire’s interior. Residents are returning home, some learning that firefighters stopped the flames just feet from their homes.
September 9, 2019 at 7:29 PM
It was another productive day, with crews completing more control line and mopping up the interior of the Swedes Fire. As this fire is burning in the same area as the Wall Fire from 2017, a tree falling crew is at scene to remove dead and other hazard trees. All air resources have been released from the incident, and damage assessment is ongoing. Drive carefully and watch for heavy equipment and large vehicles near the fire.
September 9, 2019 at 9:58 AM
EVACUATION WARNING LIFTED #SwedesFire #ButteSheriff pic.twitter.com/CUAlbO1nEf
— Butte County Sheriff (@ButteSheriff) September 9, 2019
September 9, 2019 at 8:00 AM
With another night of cooperative weather, crews completed more control line and worked on mopping up the interior of the Swedes Fire. Personnel will take advantage of the favorable conditions to continue this work today. As this fire is burning in the same area as the Wall Fire from 2017, a tree falling crew is at scene to remove dead and other hazard trees. All air resources have been released from the incident, and damage assessment is ongoing. Drive carefully and watch for heavy equipment and large vehicles near the fire.
Evacuations: Per the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, as of 6:00 pm Sunday, September 8, all evacuation orders for the Swedes Fire have been reduced to evacuation warnings. Only residents in those areas will be allowed back in with identification.
September 9, 2019 at 7:32 AM
Overnight, containment has reached 40%.
September 8, 2019 at 7:45 PM
Crews continue making good progress on the Swedes Fire, burning west of Chinese Wall Road near Oroville in eastern Butte County. Weather conditions remained favorable throughout the day, allowing firefighters to mitigate hot spots and improve containment lines in areas of steep, rugged terrain. As of this afternoon, all air resources have been released from the incident, and damage assessment is ongoing.
September 8, 2019 at 5:50 PM
#SwedesFire #ButteSheriff pic.twitter.com/v4KzpRUraz
— Butte County Sheriff (@ButteSheriff) September 9, 2019
September 8, 2019 at 2:32 PM
9.8.19 @2:30 p.m. pic.twitter.com/b20Rc2dt6m
— Butte County Sheriff (@ButteSheriff) September 8, 2019
September 8, 2019 at 9:44 AM

Fire activity was minimal overnight as winds were light and relative humidity was high, and crews made good progress. Air resources will be back at scene during the day, and several new resources arrived overnight. The focus for today is improving containment lines in areas of steep, rugged terrain.
Evacuation Orders:
- Deer Valley Road from Swedes Flat Road to the end
- Jernigan Way from Hurleton Swedes Flat Road to the end
- All of Quality Lane
- Lost Horizon Drive to Oro-Quincy Highway
- Old Olive Highway to Oro-Quincy Highway
- Feathervale Drive and Mt. Ida Road and all adjoining roads to the east
September 8, 2019 at 8:43 AM
Firefighters made good progress overnight and containment is up to 20%.
Small Animal Shelter@2279 Del Oro and Large Animal Shelter@1985 Clark Rd are open. Butte County Animal Control & @NVADG are responding to animal related requests in the evacuation order areas. For assistance with animals call 530.895.0000
September 7, 2019 at 10:09 PM
One residence and one outbuilding destroyed, damage assessment continues. Firefighters will be working throughout the night to protect structures and establish containment lines.
September 7, 2019 at 9:37 PM
#SwedesFire [update] Another view from the Incident Command Post. Fire is still at 400 acres, 10% contained. pic.twitter.com/SKrvo9WziZ
— CAL FIRE Butte Unit/Butte County Fire Department (@CALFIRE_ButteCo) September 8, 2019
September 7, 2019 at 8:53 PM
#SwedesFire A large animal shelter is open at Camelot located at 1985 Clark Road in Oroville. Large animals will not be unloaded from trailers until daylight in the interest of safety.
— Butte County, CA (@CountyofButte) September 8, 2019
September 7, 2019 at 7:29 PM
Last drops for the tankers, acreage estimate is 400 acres.
September 7, 2019 at 7:07 PM
An evacuation shelter is available at the Oroville Church of the Nazarene located at 2238 Monte Vista Ave. in Oroville.
An animal shelter for small animals is available at the Old County Hospital located at 2279 Del Oro and Mono Ste E.
September 7, 2019 at 6:57 PM
Tanker 88 is returning to Grass Valley Air Attack Base. Cut-off time for air tankers is approaching. Fire behavior has moderated somewhat.
September 7, 2019 at 6:01 PM
Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) T911 is en route to the fire with a lead plane.
September 7, 2019 at 5:53 PM
CURRENT HARD CLOSURES FOR THE #SwedesFire ARE:
— CHP Oroville👮♂️👮♀️🚔 (@CHP_Oroville) September 8, 2019
-OLD OLIVE HWY/FORBESTOWN
-LOST HORIZON/SR162
-OLD OLIVE HWY/SR162
-MT IDA/MINERS RANCH
CHP Personnel are in place to keep people out
September 7, 2019 at 5:46 PM
EVACUATION WARNING #SwedesFire pic.twitter.com/c09CDmfxD8
— Butte County Sheriff (@ButteSheriff) September 8, 2019
September 7, 2019 at 5:36 PM
300 acres estimated now. Evacuations are ongoing, road closures are implemented.
September 7, 2019 at 5:26 PM
EVACUATION ORDER #SwedesFire pic.twitter.com/Ex7BLZEStT
— Butte County Sheriff (@ButteSheriff) September 8, 2019
September 7, 2019 at 5:19 PM
Butte County Volunteer Fire Departments are asked to respond to the Swedes Fire.
September 7, 2019 at 5:16 PM
Latest estimate puts the fire at 200 acres.
September 7, 2019 at 5:13 PM
Significant augmentation of resources for the incident requested.
September 7, 2019 at 4:57 PM
Evacuation warning for the Lake Wyandotte area from Forbestown to Hurleton.
September 7, 2019 at 4:52 PM
Evacuation on Jernigan are completed, Quality Lane is next. CodeRED notifications are going out to the affected residents.
September 7, 2019 at 4:37 PM
The fire will go into extended attack. IC is setting up divisions. Resources from the Forbestown incident are responding to this fire as they are being released from the previous fire.
September 7, 2019 at 4:28 PM
Additional engines and Placer crews 1 and 2 are responding to the fire.
September 7, 2019 at 4:17 PM
New Mandatory evacuations: Deer Valley Road, Jernigan Way from Hurleton to Swedes Flat and all of Quality Lane.
#SwedesFire [update] Air resources estimate 50 acres. South wind is moving the fire to the north. Burning in the Wall Fire footprint from 2017. pic.twitter.com/ccCsRGoAkM
— CAL FIRE Butte Unit/Butte County Fire Department (@CALFIRE_ButteCo) September 7, 2019
September 7, 2019 at 4:11 PM
Evacuation of Chinese Wall is almost complete. Notifications are being made to the north of the fire. Air Attack is focusing retardant drops on the right shoulder of the fire.
September 7, 2019 at 4:10 PM
Two additional strike teams, two crews and one water tender requested for the fire.
September 7, 2019 at 4:08 PM
Air Attack estimates the fire at 45-50 acres. The fire is burning to the north in light flashy fuels. Fire is wind-driven. Power lines have been de-energized.
September 7, 2019 at 4:08 PM
Tanker 100 and Tanker 82 inbound to the fire.
September 7, 2019 at 4:04 PM
Additional resources have arrived at the fire, firefighters are focusing on structure protection.
September 7, 2019 at 3:49 PM
The fire has reportedly jumped Chinese Wall Road on the 400 block.
September 7, 2019 at 3:45 PM
No additional air tankers available, one helicopter is available. One Type 1 tanker is available, Air Attack is requesting it to respond. Tanker 134 en route now.
September 7, 2019 at 3:39 PM
Evacuations are underway, please follow the directions given by law enforcement and do make room for fire equipment. Don’t stop to take pictures!
September 7, 2019 at 3:32 PM
Strike team from Plumas en route to he fire, resources from Nevada-Yuba-Placer also en route.
September 7, 2019 at 3:30 PM
Additional ground resources requested to the fire.
September 7, 2019 at 3:25 PM
Air Attack reports 25 acres, moderate rate of spread. The fire will run into the old Swedes fire scar. Three additional tankers and two helicopters requested.
September 7, 2019 at 3:22 PM
Evacuations coming for the end Chinese Wall Road, structures are threatened. Law enforcement will provide traffic control, equipment is rolling in while evacuations are taking place.
September 7, 2019 at 3:21 PM
Firefighters just arriving at scene of a vegetation fire on Chinese Wall Road east of Oroville. Reported approximately 10 acres, no structures immediately threatened.
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