QUINCY, Calif. — Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest are asking area residents and visitors to be vigilant and help prevent wildfires, especially as the weather heats up late this week.
Temperatures are forecasted to be higher than average this Friday and Saturday, with highs predicted to be in the upper 90s in the mountains and over 100 degrees at lower elevations of the Forest.
A cold front predicted to move into the area late Sunday is expected to rapidly drop temperatures below average for the first part of next week, with more seasonable temperatures returning later next week.
These rapid changes in temperature typically bring strong, gusty winds to the area. The combination of high temperatures and strong winds can spread fire quickly, with a spark rapidly becoming a large wildfire.
“The incoming weather is a concern, especially with the summer recreation season picking up and more people visiting the Forest and local communities,” said Plumas National Forest Assistant Fire Management Officer Mitch Wilson. “We need everyone to use caution with anything that can throw a spark and help prevent wildfires this weekend and throughout the 2025 fire season.”
The Plumas National Forest has not hit the critical fire danger threshold yet to implement fire restrictions. Overall, fire danger is still relatively low across the forest. However, a spike in fire danger will occur with the increase in temperatures and winds later this week into early next week.
“This is typical for spring on the Plumas, with a short burst of early heat,” Wilson said. “The concern is the high temperatures and increasing predicted wind gusts this weekend through early next week than can spread fire quickly.”
Firefighters are increasingly responding to residential burn piles that are out of compliance or escaped.
“Our first fire for 2025 was January 21 when an unattended residential burn pile burned just over an acre, including onto National Forest System lands,” Wilson said. “Since then, we have been responding to numerous residential burn piles throughout the area, with the largest being a 15-acre wildfire.”
Residential burning of dry natural vegetation is permitted through CAL FIRE for small burn piles no larger than 4-foot by 4-foot. Permits and information can be found at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/.
“While the fuel reduction efforts of area residents are important and appreciated, it is critical to make sure any burning is done safely to prevent wildfires,” Wilson said. “This includes ensuring there is a line around the pile with no flammable materials, that the burning pile is being monitored closely until it is dead out and cold to the touch, having water and a shovel in case there is a need to put the fire out, and calling 911 for help if it is escaping.”
It is not just residential burning that is a risk. As the summer recreation season gets going, abandoned campfires are a common problem throughout the Forest.
Campfires should never be left unattended and should be dead out and cold to the touch before leaving. Make sure to have plenty of water available to help extinguish the fire if needed.
Vehicles, chainsaws and other motorized equipment should have functioning spark arrestors. Tires should be properly inflated to ensure rims don’t throw sparks. Trailer and towing chains should be properly secured and up, not dragging on the ground.
“This weekend is an early taste of summer and should be great for getting outside, whether it’s camping, going out on the lake, hiking or working in the yard,” Wilson said. “We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable weekend with no wildfires.”
Please report suspected wildfires by calling 911.