California’s raging Beckwourth Complex Fire doubles in size, jumps highway

Get information and maps for the Beckwourth Complex Fire from the Plumas National Forest.

Find the latest evacuation information here.

California’s largest wildfire, raging in sweltering temperatures in Plumas County, jumped a highway and continues to burn Sunday morning.

The Beckwourth Complex Fire — a combination of two lightning-caused fires burning about 50 miles north of Truckee — showed no sign of slowing its rush northeast from the Sierra Nevada forest region after doubling in size between Friday and Saturday. The blaze, which is only 9% contained as of early Sunday, increased dramatically to 61,252 acres as firefighters battled in 100-degree temperatures. Late Saturday, flames jumped U.S. Route 395 and forced closures. 

Firefighter Kyle Jacobson monitors the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, burning in Plumas National Forest, Calif., on Friday, July 9, 2021.Noah Berger/AP

U.S. 395 is closed from Hallelujah Junction to County Road A-26 in Lassen County, Caltrans said. State Route 284 is also closed at the junction with State Route 70 in Plumas County until further notice.

The fire is now threatening properties along the state border in Nevada’s Washoe County. “Take immediate steps to protect large animals and livestock,” the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District tweeted.

Dry timber, primarily eastside pine trees and chaparral, are fueling the “extremely active” fire, the Plumas National Forest said in its most recent incident report.

An air tanker drops retardant to keep the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, from reaching the Beckwourth community of unincorporated Plumas County, Calif., on Friday, July 9, 2021.Noah Berger/AP

The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District is asking people and their small animals to evacuate to Hug High School in Reno. People with large animals can take them to the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center. Evacuees should drive south on Red Rock Road.

High heat and blazing wildfires prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to issue an emergency proclamation on Friday suspending rules to allow for more power capacity, and the ISO requested emergency assistance from other states. On Saturday, Newsom issued another proclamation allowing the emergency use of auxiliary ship engines to relieve pressure on the electric grid.

Firefighters from Cal Fire’s Placerville station monitor the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, in Doyle, Calif., on Friday, July 9, 2021.Noah Berger/AP

The California Independent System Operator warned of potential power shortage Saturday, not only because of mounting heat, but because a wildfire in southern Oregon was threatening transmission lines that carry imported power to California. Pushed by strong winds, that doubled in size to 120 square miles Saturday as it raced through heavy timber in the Fremont-Winema National Forest near the Klamath County town of Sprague River.

U.S. Forest Service firefighters Chris Voelker, left, and Kyle Jacobson monitor the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, burning in Plumas National Forest, Calif., on Friday, July 9, 2021. The Beckwourth Complex — a merging of two lightning-caused fires — headed into Saturday showing no sign of slowing its rush northeast from the Sierra Nevada forest region after doubling in size only a few days earlier.Noah Berger/AP

The Associated Press contributed to this report.