Incident Update Gold Complex

Date:
07/22/2024
Time:
7:39 PM

Incident Facts

Name
Gold Complex
Start Date/Time
2024-07-22
Incident Status
Active
Location
Plumas National Forest - Beckwourth Ranger District
Type
Wildfire
Cause
Under Investigation
Counties
Plumas
Administration Unit
U.S. Forest Service-Plumas National Forest
Unified Command Agency(s)
Size
700
Containment
0%
Structures Threatened
Structures Destroyed
Structures Damaged
Civilian Injuries
Firefighter Injuries
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

A thunderstorm in eastern Plumas County around 2 p.m. today resulted in four dry lightning strikes outside the rain core of the storm than have become wildfires on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District.  The first fire was reported around 2:45 p.m.

The Mill, Mill 2 and Mill 3 fires are currently burning near the community of Whitehawk Ranch.  The Mill Fire is estimated to be approximately 500 acres, while the Mill 2 and Mill 3 fires are each estimated to be approximately 75 acres.

The Smith Fire is currently burning north of California State Highway 70 between Smith Peak and Maybe.  The Fire is estimated to be approximately 50 acres.

For all four fires, they are growing rapidly due to winds, slope and dry fuels.

There are structures threatened by all four fires, including the communities of Whitehawk Ranch, Clio, Gold Mountain, Delleker, Lake Davis Area and the south and west sides of Portola.

Plumas County Sheriff's Office is responsible for evacuations and is sharing information on their Facebook page at Plumas County Sheriff's Office.

Multiple engines, firefighting crews, dozers and aircraft are fighting the fires with more resources on order, including from Cal Fire and other agencies.  An incident management team is being ordered tonight.

All four fires are being combined into the Gold Complex.  #GoldComplexFire

Evacuation Zones

Evacuation Information:

Evacuation Orders and Warnings Information

The Smith and Mill Fires are being combined into a complex.

Evacuation Orders have been issued for the following zones. Leave now!

  • PLU-074
  • PLU-093
  • PLU-095
  • PLU-096
  • PLU-097
  • PLU-098
  • PLU-111
  • PLU-113
  • POR-007

Evacuation Warnings have been issued for the following zones. Be prepared to leave!

  • PLU-076
  • PLU-094
  • PLU-099
  • PLU-100
  • PLU-112
  • POR-001
  • POR-004
  • POR-006