Tobin, Plumas National Forest

Tobin, Plumas NF.  Twenty miles northeast of Paradise, CA. Timber, medium logging slash and chaparral. Minimal fire behavior with backing, creeping and smoldering.

October 2, 2016 at 8:46 AM

Containment lines were tested and held with winds from the oncoming storm.  No smoke visible in the Feather River Canyon yesterday. The Type 3 team in place will transition the fire back to the Plumas National Forest (Mt. Hough Ranger District) tomorrow at 9 am.

October 1, 2016 at 11:15 AM

Tobin Fire Infrared video, recorded on September 27, 2016.

October 1, 2016 at 10:30 AM

A Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the Tobin Fire at 6am on Saturday, October 1.

The fire was fairly inactive on Friday despite increased winds, and crews were able to complete fireline construction around the northeast corner, effectively putting containment line around the entire perimeter. Mop up continued as well, with depths of up to 200’ completed in places where it was safe to do so. Fire-weakened snags, still-hot ash pits, and rollout of burning material can pose hazards to crews throughout firefighting operations including during mop up, and crews are working slowly and carefully to ensure a safe operation. Mop up on the fire is expected to continue for the next few days, and updates will be issued only if major events occur. Residents and visitors to the area should expect to see smoke as unburned islands of vegetation well within the fire perimeter continue to burn.

Weather conditions Saturday are anticipated to be slightly cooler, with temperatures across the fire area ranging from 60 to 68 degrees during the day. Winds are predicted to be lighter than Friday, with typical up-slope, up-canyon winds prevailing during daytime hours. A system moving into the area Sunday night into Monday morning is currently predicted to bring between 0.14 and 0.25 inches of rain to the fire area, with a Winter Weather Watch issued for high-elevation mountain peaks. Warmer, drier temperatures are expected to return mid-week after the system moves through.

Hwy 70 is open, as well as all Feather River Canyon campgrounds and local businesses. Please be cautious while driving the highway due to increased fire equipment traffic. The temporary flight restriction (TFR) in place over the fire area has been lifted.

September 30, 2016 at 7:23 AM

The fire showed minimal activity overnight. Yesterday, crews worked to tie in direct containment line on the northeast corner of the fire. As of this morning, that is the only remaining piece of open fireline, and crews anticipate completing that today. They will also work to mop up (extinguish any remaining heat sources within close proximity to firelines that could threaten containment) and remove any excess equipment and trash from the fireline.

This will be the last update from Northern California Interagency Incident Management Team 2. As of 6am tomorrow, October 1, 2016, the Tobin Fire will be managed by a Type 3 organization.

The Tobin Fire is burning within the footprint of the 2000 Storrie Fire, and the vegetation in the area is primarily brush and snags left from that fire. The steep, rocky terrain and multiple fire-weakened snags are hazardous to firefighters.

September 29, 2016 at 7:31 AM

Minimal activity was observed through the night with only small, isolated pockets of burning fuels, and smoldering and creeping along the perimeter.

Yesterday, fire crews initiated direct handline construction along the eastern edge of the fire where terrain allowed for work to be completed. Indirect hand and dozer contingency line was continued further to the northeast of the fire.

Four wheel drive fire engines were able to access the western perimeter and aided helicopters with extinguishing hotspots.

Last night, firefighters patrolled to lower section of the fire where it was safe to do so. Crews continued to staff a spike camp on the upper section of the fire to alleviate long travel times from camp.

September 28, 2016 at 9:03 AM

The fire is located on the Plumas National Forest. It is in the Feather River Canyon north of Hwy 70. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Hwy 70 is open, as well as all Feather River Canyon campgrounds and local businesses. Please be cautious while driving the highway due to increased fire equipment traffic. There is a temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the fire, and roads within the fire may be closed or restricted for public and firefighter safety. Northern California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the fire at 6am this morning. The fire is currently 246 acres (acreage adjusted with infrared mapping) and is 5% contained.

Firefighters patrolled the fire overnight, and little activity was observed. The fire remains south of Tobin Ridge, and west of Jackass Creek.

Today, crews will look for opportunities to build direct containment line (along the edge of the active fire) on the south and west side of the fire, and to construct contingency line between Jackass Creek and Granite Creek. They are working on improving containment lines along the road system on Tobin Ridge above the northern edge of the fire. A structure protection group will be working around the houses and businesses, as well as railroad and utility infrastructure, along the Feather River to assess opportunities for structure defense, should it become necessary.

September 28, 2016 at 7:46 AM

Little activity was observed last night. The fire remains south of Tobin Ridge, and west of Jackass Creek.

Today, crews will look for opportunities to build direct containment line (along the active edge of the fire) on the south and west side of the fire, and to construct contingency line between Jackass Creek and Granite Creek. They are working on improving containment lines along the road system on Tobin Ridge along the northern edge of the fire. A structure protection group will be working around the houses and businesses along the Feather River to access opportunities for structure defense, should it become necessary.

Weather today is predicted to be similar to yesterday, with highs in the mid-80’s to mid-90’s and ridgetop winds gusting 10-20 mph in the afternoon. A cooling trend is anticipated for the weekend, with a chance of rain forecast for Sunday.

September 27, 2016 at 3:10 PM

The 375-acre Tobin Fire continues to hold on Tobin Ridge on the upper slopes of the north face of the Feather River Canyon above CA HWY 70 near Tobin. Fire spread is primarily lateral or along the sides or flanks of the fire.

Hwy 70 is currently open as are area campgrounds and businesses. Drivers should be alert for increased fire vehicle traffic in the area.

There is a temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the area; drone use is prohibited. The fire was detected yesterday, September 26, at 9:30am. Air resources, including air tankers and helicopters, hit the fire hard yesterday to support ground resources, hotshot crews, engines, and dozers. Air attack resumed early this morning.

Today, active fire behavior is occurring with short-range spotting and uphill runs in heavy dead and down fuels from the previous 2000 Storrie and 2008 Canyon Complex Fires.

Legal location of fire start is Township 24, Range 6E, Section 17. The fire is located in the Feather River Canyon north of Hwy 70 to Tobin Ridge, east of Rock Creek and west of Jackass Creek.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team is in the process of transitioning with existing fire resources and will take command of the fire at 6:00 tomorrow morning. Fire teams supplement local fire resources during emergencies.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

September 27, 2016 at 10:55 AM

Air resources, tankers and helicopters, hit the fire hard yesterday to support ground resources, hotshot crews, engines, and dozers. Air attack resumed this morning at 8am.

Today, active fire behavior is expected with short-range spotting, uphill runs in heavy dead and down fuels from the previous 2000 Storrie and 2008 Canyon Complex Fires. The fire is holding at Tobin Ridge and moving laterally east.

Legal location of fire start is Township 24, Range 6E, Section 17. The fire is located in the Feather River Canyon north of Hwy 70 to Tobin Ridge, east of Rock Creek and west of Jackass Creek.

Hwy 70 is open, as well as all Feather River Canyon campgrounds and local businesses. Please be cautious while driving the highway due to increased fire equipment traffic. There is a temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the area.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been requested.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

September 27, 2016 at 7:42 AM

Fire burned actively throughout the night. Short range spotting in steep terrain with difficult access. Fire activity will continue to spread eastward laterally and have uphill runs due to slope. Containment efforts are being hampered by steep, rugged terrain. Objective is to keep the fire north of Hwy 70, south of Tobin Rd., east of Jackass Creek and west of Rock Creek. Air support will resume at 8am today.

September 26, 2016 at 10:16 PM

Fire behavior remains active with short range spotting in steep terrain with difficult access. NORCAL Team 2 activated.

September 26, 2016 at 5:48 PM

The fire is now estimated at 100 acres in the late afternoon and has burned to Tobin Ridge. The head of the fire is holding along retardant lines along the ridge while the flanks or sides of the fire have open line remaining.

September 26, 2016 at 3:34 PM

The 35 + acre Tobin fire started mid-morning on Monday, September 26, 2016. It is located north of CA HWY 70 near the small burg of Tobin. The fire is currently burning towards Tobin Ridge; powerlines are threatened. There is no threat to structures as of now.

The fire is within the 2000 Storrie Fire and the 2008 Lightning Complex footprint. Lots of brush. The canyon is steep, rocky and treacherous so air resources are essential to supporting the ground troops.

There are currently 5 helicopters, 4 air-tankers, lead plane and air attack (eyes in the sky) plus 2 Type 1 hand crews (Hot Shots), engines, several patrols and dozers working the blaze. Smoke is visible to neighboring communities to the north/northeast.