Walker Fire map: 50,000 acres burned, forest still closed
The Walker Fire burning in Plumas County has exceeded 50,000 acres, and firefighters are hurrying to strengthen containment lines in the face of hot and windy forecast.
California’s largest fire of the season so far, it is at 50,730 acres (79 square miles) and 32 percent containment, said Friday morning’s incident report from the Plumas National Forest. That was an increase of 1,500 acres from the previous morning. No structures have burned.
An evacuation order remains in place for the Murdock Crossing and Stony Ridge areas, a large but sparsely populated section of the national forest (orange tone on the map). Much of the national forest has also been closed to the public (black line).
A trend of hotter temperatures, lower humidity and stronger winds is expected through the weekend, with winds up to 40 mph on Sunday.
The Walker Fire began Sept. 4 about a mile southeast of the Flournoy Bridge. The cause is under investigation.
Other major fires burning in California:
- Taboose Fire, Inyo County; 9422 acres, 54 percent contained. No significant growth overnight. A fire weather watch has been issued for Sunday afternoon until Tuesday morning because of expected high winds on the eastern slope of the Sierra.
- Lone Fire, Modoc County; 5737 acres, 95 percent contained. All lines holding, no growth expected.
- South Fire, Tehama County; 3434 acres, 20 percent contained. Firefighters are contending with rugged terrain and limited access. Part of Shasta Trinity National Forest has been closed to the public.