QUINCY, Calif., July 2, 2025 — The 4th of July holiday weekend is always busy in the local communities and at recreation sites in and around the Plumas National Forest, whether it is attending a special event or camping and enjoying one of the scenic areas or lakes. 

The public is asked to help make sure the fun isn’t interrupted with human-caused wildfires.

As a reminder, all fireworks are prohibited on National Forest System lands, including the Plumas National Forest and developed recreation sites. This includes poppers, sparklers and other fireworks. Other explosives are also prohibited, including exploding targets like Tannerite.

Other than a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon, the weather is supposed to be just above average, with high temperatures in the mountains in the 80s for the next several days before climbing back into the 90s later in the weekend.

The National Weather Service in Reno issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low humidity from 10 a.m. to midnight tomorrow.  This includes the eastern edge of the Plumas National Forest and the part of the Forest in Lassen County.

The Plumas National Forest is not in fire restrictions yet, although they are expected in the next few weeks.

“We are still outside the fuels indices to go into fire restrictions, but we are monitoring them closely,” said Plumas National Forest Fire Management Officer Martin Senter. “In the meantime, the public can help by using caution and preventing wildfires.”

Since January, the Plumas National Forest has had approximately 30 human-caused wildfires, with those fires increasing over the past several weeks. This is also an increase compared to 16 human-caused wildfires in 2024 and 11 in 2023 for the first six months of each of those years.

“Human-caused wildfires are preventable, especially when some care is used to make sure campfires are out, that equipment is in proper condition and secured and being safe while recreating or working in the forest,” Senter said. 

“A few hours ago on the Mount Hough Ranger District, a Fire Battalion Chief stopped a vehicle with a trailer chain dragging on the road,” Senter said. “While it was for a short distance, it could easily have started a wildfire and was entirely preventable by taking a few more minutes to make sure the chain was secure and properly configured before leaving.”

To reduce the risk of wildfire, area residents and visitors are advised to do the following:

  • Before going camping, check to see if fire restrictions are in place and never leave a campfire unattended.
  • Build campfires in cleared open areas and keep water and a shovel nearby. Make sure campfires are out and cool to the touch before leaving the area.
  • Consider alternatives to a campfire, such as a portable camp stove. 
  • If you are using charcoal, make sure you drown and stir them, repeating until they are cold to the touch.
  • Avoid driving and parking in tall grass or on roads with heavy, fine fuel accumulations. Exhaust particles, hot exhaust pipes and hot catalytic converters can start grass fires in a matter of seconds.
  • Maintain proper tire pressure. Ensure tires are in good condition with solid tread and no cracking in the walls. Driving on exposed wheel rims can throw sparks.
  • Secure chains properly from trailers or other equipment. Sparks from dragging chains, and exhaust from ATVs and motorcycles, can start grass fires.
  • Ensure spark arresters are clean and in working order. Spark arresters are required on all recreational and portable gasoline-powered equipment.
  • Carry firefighting equipment in vehicles, including a shovel, at least one gallon of water or one 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.

Report suspected wildfires immediately by calling 911, even before starting suppression activities.  Many cellphones, even in areas without service, still have 911 or emergency capabilities to call for help.

“We want everyone in the area to have a happy, safe and memorable holiday weekend,” Senter said.  “Preventing wildfires is a big part of that.”

For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.