Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Forest Service reports NEPA approvals and warns of increased human-caused fires; campground openings and water-system issues outlined
Loading...
Summary
U.S. Forest Service officials told the Plumas County board on July 1 that NEPA decisions for recovery projects were signed, fuels-reduction work will expand this summer, and human-caused fires had nearly doubled versus the same period in 2024.
U.S. Forest Service staff updated the Plumas County Board of Supervisors on wildfire recovery, recreation operations and a concerning rise in human-caused fires at the July 1 meeting. The service said it signed the North Fork recovery NEPA decision and expected to sign the Central West Slope decision imminently, enabling implementation of fuels reduction and restoration work this summer with partners including the National Forest Foundation and Sierra Pacific Industries.
Fire risk: Forest Service staff said their preliminary data showed an uptick in human-caused fires this year—about 30 human-caused fires to date compared with roughly 16 in the same period in 2024. Staff and a Cal Fire captain said most human-caused fires are not necessarily arson but include equipment failures, chain-dragging and unattended campfires; several commenters emphasized vigilance and public safety messaging.
Recreation operations and campground status: The Forest Service listed campgrounds that are open, those requiring reservations (Gold Lake 4x4 reservation requirement on recreation.gov), and some closures due to water-system damage or nesting bald eagles (e.g., Wyandotte closed through July 15). Red Feather opened with temporary toilets and no flush toilets; some group camp water systems remain offline. Staff said they will reassess campground fire restrictions before the holiday weekend but did not expect closures immediately.
Public messaging and partners: The board and staff discussed posting safety advisories on the county website and coordinating with partners on river and reservoir safety given PG&E releases and elevated flows. The Forest Service emphasized lookout staffing and the importance of public gratitude for volunteers.
Next steps: Implementation of approved NEPA projects will prompt fuels-reduction work this summer; the Forest Service will continue community engagement and update the board on project schedules and recreation-system repairs.
