HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.1.20 Email from Paul Gosselin - North Complex Fire Update
From:Gosselin, Paul
To:Alpert, Bruce;Bennett, Robin;Clerk of the Board;Connelly, Bill;Cook, Holly;Lambert, Steve;Lucero, Debra;
McCracken, Shari;Paulsen, Shaina;Pickett, Andy;Ring, Brian;Ritter, Tami;Rodas, Amalia;Sweeney, Kathleen;
Teeter, Doug
Cc:Pickett, Andy;Ramsey, Mike
Subject:North Complex Fire Update
Date:Thursday, October 1, 2020 2:57:49 PM
Attachments:NORTH COMPLEX FIRE Situation Status Report 20201001 1245hrs.pdf
Good afternoon Board -
st
Attached please find the October 1 Butte County Situation Status Report for the North Complex
Fire.
Also, this afternoon at 4pm there will be a press conference that can viewed live on the County’s
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/buttecounty . The press conference will cover:
Fire Status
Hazmat/Health and Safety Info
Non-Congregate Sheltering Info
If you have any questions please let me know.
Thank you.
Paul
Paul Gosselin, Director
Department of Water and Resource Conservation
308 Nelson Ave
Oroville, CA 95965
530-552-3590 office
NORTH COMPLEX FIRE Situation Status Report (2020-10-01; 1200 hrs)
BUTTE COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC)
Preliminary Incident Information
North Complex West Zone fire is part of the overall North Complex Fire burning in Butte and Plumas counties. Additional
incident information is available at the following sites:
https://www.facebook.com/CALFIREButteCo/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARRXhE1CmotDxPkUffsNeGf_vJlBeGOucGSU0xCJ6HvN
3MiG0p5s-S3HLYu3Sa8WVCI&__tn__=%3C-R
https://www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas/photos/pcb.3392351700825762/3392342777493321/?type=3&theater
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6997/
Fatalities: 15
Injuries: 2 (First Responder)
Assessed Structures Destroyed or Damaged 2,455
Actual Structures Destroyed 2,342
o Destroyed Residential – 1523
o Destroyed Commercial – 59
o Other Destroyed – 760
Actual Structures Damaged 113
o Damaged Residential – 51
o Damaged Commercial – 5
o Damaged Other – 57
Here is a link to the Structure Damage Map: https://tinyurl.com/y3jmzxnj
Estimated Acres Burned in the North Complex West Zone: 84,595 acres (in SRA) with 95% containment (as of September 29,
2020). Note that the North Complex West Zone is based on operational boundaries, not Butte County boundary lines. In Butte
County specifically, the total acreage burned is estimated at 96,014. Total acres burned in the overall North Complex Fire
covering Butte and Plumas counties is 314,949 acres with 79% containment.
Map link: https://www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas/photos/pb.1084834108244211.-
2207520000../3401830889877843/?type=3&theater
Page 1 of 1
Report prepared by: April Barnes Butte County EOC – North Complex Fire
Documentation, Plans Intel Situation Status Report 2020-10-01, 1245hrs
Resources:
(U.S. Forest Service)
Engines – 113; Water Tenders – 66; Helicopters – 12; Hand Crews – 45; Dozers – 37; Total Personnel – 2,011.
Current Situation:
On the afternoon of September 8, 2020 the North Complex fire entered Butte County with a vengeance, driven by extreme
winds, heavy dry fuels, and steep terrain. The North Complex Fire is broken into three (3) zones: North, South, and West.
CAL FIRE Report: Containment lines on the West Zone continue to hold. They have found some smoldering in the Bloomer Hill
area that they will investigate and address today. Firefighters continue to search for and mop up hot spots well inside the fire
perimeter to ensure no embers escape the fire line. Tactical patrols are being conducted throughout the West Zone to
identify and mitigate hazards, making sure the area is safe when homeowners return.
The North Zone continues to be an area of concern. Resources today will be focused on the Hwy 70 corridor as the fire is well
established in the vicinity of Grizzly Dome Tunnel. Their main priority is to keep the fire from crossing Hwy 70. There is debris
and rock falling on Hwy 70 which has prompted the closure of the highway. US Forest Service is working on putting finishing
touches on the line near McGhee Ridge today. They are also working with Cal Fire to re-enforce existing fire lines in the event
that the fire does cross Hwy 70. Air crews will be dropping retardant on the fire lines as conditions allow.
US Forestry Report(as notedon theirlinkhttps://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6997/):Resourcesovernight continued working
the uncontained fireline within the Highway 70 corridor. The fire has not crossed the highway and did not experience any
significant growth, despite occasional strong wind gusts through the canyon. In addition to monitoring for spot fires, crews
reinforced dozer line and prepared structure protection.The fire does remain well established in the vicinity of Grizzly Dome
Tunnel and is bumped up to the highway along a half-mile section.Other night shift resources patrolled the remainder of the
fire’s containment lines, which continued to hold.Firefighters will remain focused on the Highway 70 corridor working to keep
the fire from crossing the highway, aided by helicopters as soon as flying conditions allow.
Weather:
Today (Magalia): Widespread haze and smoke. Sunny skies, with a high near 91. Winds west southwest 5 to 10 mph and
humidity near 15%. Tonight (Magalia): Widespread haze and smoke. Clear skies with a low of 66, winds light and variable, and
humidity increasing to 24%. Thursday (Magalia): Widespread haze and smoke. Sunny skies, with a high of 91, west southwest
winds 5 to 10 mph and humidity at 20%. For specific smoke impacts to your area, visit https://www.airnow.gov/
Information Board Locations:
Holiday Market – 6848 Lower Skyway, Paradise
Savemart – 6636 Clark Road, Paradise
Save-Mor Foods – 14001 Lakeridge Circle, Magalia
Stirling City Volunteer Co. 12 – 17084 Skyway, Stirling City
Yankee Hill Hardware – 11300A Miller Flat Rd, Oroville
Raley’s – 2325 Myers St, Oroville
Food Maxx – 1160 Oro Dam Blvd, Oroville
WalMart – 465 Cal Oak Rd, Oroville
rd
Home Depot – 2150 3 St, Oroville
Feather Falls Casino – 3 Alverda Dr, Oroville
Gold Country Casino – 4020 Olive Hwy, Oroville
Fire Damage Assessment
Damage assessments provided by CAL FIRE’s Damage Inspection Team were completed and the final totals are 2,455 assessed
structures with 2,342 destroyed and 113 damaged. See page 1 for additional information. A link to the Structure Damage Map
can be found through this link: https://tinyurl.com/y3jmzxnj . Messaging has gone out on what to look for when returning
home after a wildfire. Here is a link to that information: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/post-wildfire/ .
Page 2 of 2
Report prepared by: April Barnes Butte County EOC – North Complex Fire
Documentation, Plans Intel Situation Status Report 2020-10-01, 1245hrs
County Safety Assessment
The County Safety Assessment Team completed the following inspections on standing structures that may pose potential
threats to the public upon re-entry. The team placed color (Green-Yellow-Red) coded placards on each structure to indicate
its safety level. Information has been messaged to the public in reference to the signage and reaffirmed with applicants
visiting the LAC.
Safety Inspections Performed
CSSFD
Green11Green178
Yellow2Yellow4
Red0Red8
MHUUS
Green39Green90
Yellow1Yellow3
Red1Red13
Commercial Structures
MH 13
Single Family Dwellings
Green1 190
Manufactured Housing Units
Yellow 41
106
Utility Structures (over 120sq ft)
Red
Motorhome
1
One School was issued a Red placard
TOTALS:
351
Summary of placards posted
by the County are as follows:
GreenINSPECTED - Lawful Occupancy Permitted
Lawful Occupancy Permitted is posted noting no apparent structural hazard
has been found and is safe to occupy.
YellowRESTRICTED USE
RESTRICTED USE is posted noting there has been damage resulting in some
form of restriction to the continued occupancy. The restrictions for use will be
noted on the placard.
RedUNSAFE - Do Not Enter or Occupy
UNSAFE – Do Not Enter or Occupy is posted to note the structure has been
damaged such that continued occupancy poses a threat to life safety.
Buildings or structures posted with this placard shall not be entered except as
authorized in writing by the Building Department. Safety assessment teams
shall be authorized to enter these buildings. This placard is not to be used or
considered as a demolition order.
Law Enforcement
Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies, staff and mutual aid continue to patrol evacuated areas and support road
blocks to inhibit people from entering the burned areas. BCSO has responded to 192 welfare check requests for persons. Of
those requests, all are accounted for, unfortunately, there are 15 fatalities.
BCSO continues to run a call center to assist residents who do not have access to the internet to be able to obtain information
on evacuation orders and warnings in their area. The call center is staffed by volunteers and open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday thru Sunday (7 days a week), until it is no longer needed.
Page 3 of 3
Report prepared by: April Barnes Butte County EOC – North Complex Fire
Documentation, Plans Intel Situation Status Report 2020-10-01, 1245hrs
BCSO has added a link to their web page for the escort program. Residents can click the “Sheriff’s Online Escort Request
Submission” link which will take them through 3 waivers before being able to enter their information for service. Residents
can also call the BCSO call center to request an escort. This service will enable residents to enter their property for 15 minutes
which can be decreased depending on conditions of the area and movement of the fire. To date Sheriff’s personnel has been
able to accommodate approximately 150 of the requests.
Evacuation Orders
(September 30, 2020 2:00pm)
There have been no changes, evacuation orders remain in effect for:
The area west of Oro-Quincy Hwy from Stephens Ridge Rd north to the Butte County line.
The area on both sides of Hwy 70 from Pulga Rd north to the Butte County line, including Pulga Rd and Concow Rd
north of Rim Rd.
Evacuation Warnings:
Butte County Sheriff’s Office has issued the following Evacuation Warnings:
The community of Stirling City
The Communities of Concow, Big Bend and Yankee Hill
The area of Stephens Ridge Rd
Evacuation orders and warnings can be found on the Butte County web page.
https://www.buttecounty.net/
Map link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1UU7WvAOESDgfIGHz_y_W670LmrbMxVn-
&ll=39.80157013782806%2C-121.3896501763755&z=11
Page 4 of 4
Report prepared by: April Barnes Butte County EOC – North Complex Fire
Documentation, Plans Intel Situation Status Report 2020-10-01, 1245hrs
Road Closures
SR 70 @ Deadwood Rd
Oro-Quincy Hwy from Lake Madrone north to the Butte County Line (open to residents only)
This information is posted at: http://www.buttecounty.net/
Local Assistance Center (LAC)
The LAC is located at the address noted below with hours of operation and will remain open for at least three (3) weeks
closing 10.09.2020.
LOCAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (LAC)
Address: 1875 Feather River BLVD
Oroville, Ca 95966
Hours: MON.-Fri 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
SAT. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
SUN. Closed
DATE HOUSEHOLDS NEW
THROUGH APPLICATION
THE DOORS S
Tuesday, 09.22.2020 235 231
Wednesday, 09.23.2020 201 150
Thursday, 09.24.2020 294 194
Friday, 09.25.2020 265 159
Saturday, 09.26.2020126 90
Monday , 09.28.2020 137 85
Tuesday, 09.29.2020 138 85
Wednesday, 09.30.2020 106 41
TOTALS: 1502 1035
(Please note, these are not FEMA applications)
Non-Congregate Sheltering
Currently there are 673 individuals in hotel rooms, equating to 309 rooms. Care and shelter is working with those individuals
who are no longer on an evacuation order or warning to transition back home.
Hotline 530.552.6150
The hotline continues to be a valuable resource to residents, answering questions regarding sheltering and
about the LAC, it has handled 2,071 calls to date.
Public Health
As we transition from the Chico EOC to the Oroville EOC please be aware that residents in the Mira Loma area have reported
mountain lion sightings (though not confirmed). Please be aware of your surroundings while outdoors.
Animal Evacuation Centers
Large Animal Shelter
Camelot Equestrian Park
1985 Clark Road, Paradise
This shelter is accepting animals between 7:30am and 8:00pm.
Small Animal Shelters
Old County Hospital
Page 5 of 5
Report prepared by: April Barnes Butte County EOC – North Complex Fire
Documentation, Plans Intel Situation Status Report 2020-10-01, 1245hrs
2279 Del Oro and Mono Ste E, Oroville
This shelter is currently at capacity and cannot accept additional animals at this time.
521 Cal Oak Rd, Oroville
This shelter is currently accepting small, domestic animals between 8:00am and 8:00pm.
Butte County Fairgrounds (Expo Hall)
199 E. Hazel St, Gridley
Currently excepting small animals
Total Animals in Shelters
Camelot - 288
Del Oro - 107
Cal Oaks - 92
EXPO: Gridley Fairgrounds – 0
Sheltering in place - ~600* (*we are handling feeding/water to these animals)
National Guard has arrived and will be assisting with animal care. The Expo Hall shelter may serve as an area to help isolate
and treat sick animals suffering from parvo.
Unclaimed Animals
The Pet Harbor
website is showing animals that have been rescued from the North Complex Fire and have not been claimed
by their owners.
Animal Removal
The deceased large animal removal is open for residents, law enforcement and fire crews to call or email with requests.
Residents can call 530.895.0000 or email largerecovery@buttecounty.net
Large Animals – 16
Small Animals – 272 (196 were chickens)
(numbers as of September 30,2020)
Public Works
Making good progress on the guardrails and crews will start working on drainage to help with the debris flows when the rain
starts. They are also putting together a crew to work with DTSC.
Donations
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no physical donations are being accepted. North Valley Community Foundation has set up a
fund.
USFS Forest Closures
A USFS order prohibits the use of any ignition (campfires, gas stoves, etc.) and the closure of all developed campgrounds and
day-use sites on National Forests in California. For up to date information on both Plumas and Lassen NF please refer to these
links: Plumas NF https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices
Lassen NF: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices
FEMA Public Assistance Status
Designated Areas: Disaster 5363; Public Assistance, Category B (PA-B). This is the Emergency Work, Category B: Emergency
. More info on categories can be found at this
protective measures https://www.fema.gov/disaster/5363/designated-areas
FEMA Fact Sheet: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema_public-assistance-fact-sheet_10-2019_0.pdf
END OF REPORT
Page 6 of 6
Report prepared by: April Barnes Butte County EOC – North Complex Fire
Documentation, Plans Intel Situation Status Report 2020-10-01, 1245hrs