UPDATE - July 21, 12:45 p.m.
EVACUATE NOW: Biscar Fire threatens Lassen and Washoe counties with critical orders.
The Biscar Fire has grown to 58,879 acres and remains just 5% contained as firefighters continue working to slow the fire’s spread across northern California and Nevada.
Evacuation orders and warnings are now in place on both sides of the state line. Officials are urging residents in affected areas to act immediately and be prepared to leave.
Washoe County Evacuations
The following Washoe County areas are under GO NOW / EVACUATE NOW orders due to a critical threat:
Grass Mountain
Twin Peaks
Chimney Rock
Areas near Smoke Creek Ranch Road
Residents in these areas should leave immediately.
The following Washoe County areas are under Evacuation Warning status due to a potential threat:
Burnt Mountain
Poodle Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Black Butte
Rowland Mountain
Gerlach
Cedar Highway
Areas of Fox Mountain
Residents who need additional time to evacuate, including those with pets, livestock or other evacuation needs, should leave now and not wait for conditions to worsen.
Lassen County Evacuations
The following areas remain under critical EVACUATE NOW orders:
LAS-553 — in the most imminent danger
LAS-543
LAS-551-A
LAS-551-B
LAS-551-C
Evacuation Warnings remain in place for:
LAS-545
LAS-555
LAS-541
Residents can view the latest evacuation zones and updates using the interactive evacuation map:
https://protect.genasys.com/en?lat=40.7027&lng=-120.0187&z=9.7
A fire perimeter map is also available here:
https://perimetermap.com/data/142-162150-polygon
Highway 395 remains open with alternating one-way controlled traffic.
The Biscar Fire started shortly before noon Saturday, approximately 40 miles northeast of Susanville, and remains under investigation.
The Biscar Fire has grown to approximately 58,879 acres after expanding by 10,000 acres Monday, while still remaining at only 5% containment. Fire crews, engines and dozers are working to slow the fire’s spread.
The Forest Service says thunderstorms are expected in the area Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing the potential for scattered rain, strong winds and lightning, which could create additional challenges for firefighters.
UPDATE July 21, 09:30 a.m.
The 40,000-acre Biscar Fire is now burning in portions of Nevada after initially starting in Lassen County on Saturday.
The Forest Service says crews, engines and dozers are working on slowing the fire's growth, which grew by 10,000 acres on Monday.
"The threat of thunderstorms in the area increases today and tomorrow, bringing chances for scattered rain, strong winds, and lightning," it says.
Evacuation Orders have been issued for the following areas - LAS-543, LAS-551-A, LAS-551-B, LAS-551-C, and LAS-553.
Evacuation Warnings have been issued for the following areas- LAS-54, LAS-545, and LAS-555
You can see an interactive evacuation map on https://protect.genasys.com/
For shelter information call (530) 254-4500 or visit the Lassen County Sheriff's Office Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LassenSheriff/
At the time of this update, Highway 395 remains open to alternating one-way controlled traffic.
The fire started just before noon on Saturday 40 miles northeast of Susanville and remains under investigation.
The Bureau of Land Management issued seasonal fire restrictions effective July 15th for BLM-managed public lands within Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou and Shasta counties in California and Washoe County.
(Forest Service contributed to this update)
July 20, 6:25 p.m. UPDATE:
The Biscar Fire burning in Lassen County has grown to 40,000 acres and remains just 5% contained.
U.S. 395 has reopened from mile marker 91 to 99.5 with traffic control vehicles in place.
People are asked to use caution in the area due to displaced livestock and wildlife.
July 20, 1:15 p.m. UPDATE:
Fire crews say several buildings and historic ranches remain threatened by the Biscar Fire in Lassen County.
The nearly 30,000 acre fire started on Friday and remains just 5% contained, northeast of Susanville.
According to CHP-Susanville, U.S. 395 remains closed from Smoke Creek Road to Termo Grasshopper Road.
"Looking at the coming days, we're hoping that we can get that, single lane, pilot car. There is evacuation orders close in the area, and, we're in a warning in the surrounding towns," says Frank Alves, U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
Evacuation Orders remain in place for the following zones:
- LAS-543
- LAS-551-A
- LAS-551-B
- LAS-551-C
- LAS-553
Evacuation Warnings have been issued for the following zones:
- LAS-541
- LAS-545
- LAS-555
The most current evacuation map can be found here.
July 19, 7:00 p.m. UPDATE:
The Biscar Fire has burned 12,338 acres and is five percent contained according to the latest update from Cal-Fire.
Evacuation Orders remain in place for the following zones:
- LAS-543
- LAS-551-A
- LAS-551-B
- LAS-551-C
- LAS-553
Evacuation Warnings have been issued for the following zones:
- LAS-541
- LAS-545
- LAS-555
The most current evacuation map can be found here.
US 395 remains closed from Smoke Creek Road to 5 miles south of Ravendale. The roadway is expected to remain closed through at least Sunday.
July 19, 1 p.m. UPDATE:
The blaze has burned 12,338 acres and is 0 percent contained.
Evacuation warnings and orders:
Zones LAS 551-B and LAS 553, LAS-551-C Are an Evacuation Order
Zones LAS-543, LAS-551-A, and LAS-555 are in an Evacuation Warning
The most current evacuation information can be found here.
US 395 remains closed from Smoke Creek Road to 5 miles south of Ravendale. The route will remain closed through Sunday.
July 19, 10 a.m. UPDATE:
The Biscar Fire has grown to 4,200 acres. There is still no containment.
Evacuation orders are in place and residents in these areas are asked to leave now.
July 18, 10:40 p.m. UPDATE:
The Biscar Fire in northern California has burned an estimated 3, 116 acres and is currently zero percent contained.
According to Cal-Fire, the fire is burning northeast of Susanville and has crossed U.S. Highway 395.
U.S. 395 remains closed from Smoke Creek Road to Termo Grasshopper Road. A detour is available via SR-139.
Cal-Fire says firefighters remain engaged on the ground and in the air, working to slow the fire’s spread, protect threatened communities, and strengthen containment lines.
Residents in and around the affected area are urged to stay informed and be prepared to act quickly.
The most current evacuation information can be found here.
Previous Story
Fire crews are fighting a brush fire burning northwest of Highway 395 & Shinn Ranch Road in Lassen County, northeast of Susanville.
According to Cal-Fire, the Biscar Fire has burned about more than 3,000 acres since starting Friday and is 0 percent contained.
US-395 North is closed from Smoke Creek Road to Termo Grasshopper Road. A detour is available via SR-139.
Evacuation orders have been issued for zones LAS-551-B and LAS-553. Evacuations warnings have been issued for LAS-551-a and LAS-543.
See a live evacuation map here.
