Thread by @Sarah_Stierch

I am watching the #NorthComplex Fire news conference on Facebook and I'll tweet anything of interest in THIS THREAD 👇 #NorthComplexFires #NorthComplexWestZone #BearFire #ClaremontFire

#NorthComplexWestZone
Damage inspection teams are out in the fire area. 7 teams of 2 people. Collecting info on damaged, destroyed and non-damaged structures. Photo taken of each property. Reports to OES & FEMA.

They do not work in active fire zones. Here is the map: tinyurl.com/NCStructureRep…

#NorthComplexWestZOne

#NorthComplexWestZone
21 damaged structures
253 destroyed structures
2 commercial structures damaged
39 commercial structures destroyed
15 other structures damaged
125 other structures destroyed

"There is a lot of damage on the landscape. Berry Creek, Feather Falls, and Brush Creek. They have sustained a lot of damage and it will take a lot of time for that area to be cooled down" to let utilities in. Be patient #NorthComplexWestZone

Good progress made with lines along Big Bar & Big Bend, but microclimates could cause challenges with weather tomorrow.

Improved lines along Flea Valley, etc from prior fires. #NorthComplexWestZone

Fire still very active on Bloomer Mountain but the Bloomer repeater is in good shape. Trying to find ops to tie contingency lines into the lake. Fire pushing towards Goodwill Burr Ridge. But line should be complete tomorrow. #NorthComplexWestZone

Kelly ridge looking good. No worry about jumping lake.
Ponderosa up to Field Ridge is very challenging. Clipper Mills, Forbestown and Strawberry Valley have no recent fire history so that is challenging fire containment. #NorthComplexWestZone

Crews using Mooreville Ridge to work on fire lines.
If we can secure Strawberry Valley, Clipper Mills, etc we can relax evacuations but right now it's very challenging. #NorthComplexWestZone

#WillowFire has containment line around it and they are aggressively mopping it up.

Red Flag warning has been issued for Monday & Monday night for unstable air, breezy, poor humidity at night and wind. Storm approaching for Oregon/Wash but we are getting wind not rain. #NorthComplexWestZone

The wind is moving the smoke away from #NorthComplexWestZone which means we will see more sunshine and strong SW winds which can produce winds of 8-12 MPH, gusts up to 20 across Complex + warmer temps + low humidity

Conditions may improve on Tuesday but not a lot. Fuels can't dry overnight. Red Flag may be extended.

SW winds - meaning pushing the fire to the northeast. #NorthComplexWestZone

Wind direction is favorable. Will clear out more smoke though which will pick up fire behavior activity but will allow us to use air support. #NorthComplexWestZone

#NorthComplexWestZone - @ButteSheriff - We are doing our best to balance competing interest of keeping people safe while getting people back into homes. We don't take this lightly. We can't release orders until safe. Many agencies involved in this fire.

.@ButteSheriff There is still a lot of work in areas where there was active fire. Trees down, active fire, impassible roads - remember #CampFire? It tooks weeks and weeks. Sadly it will be no difference this time. #NorthComplexWestZone

.@ButteSheriff - Like #CampFire are putting together an escort program. You will be able to call Sheriff and get escorted. I can't promise or guarantee *you* will be able to go home if it's still too dangerous. (My note: Call 530-538-7826 to check on status) #NorthComplexWestZone

Wow, lots of people arrested. One dude stole a $100k generator in 2018 and brought it to evacuated area and was dealing with his grow. Another dude was arrested stealing mail. #NorthComplexWestZone

Another guy stole 30 pot plants from gardens in #NorthComplexWestZone evacuation zone. They are basically arresting anyone entering evacuated areas. One dude had an illegal gun walking down Forbestown Rd 😬@ButteSheriff

Holy crap. Another guy was arrested after he threatened people organizing a fundraiser for #BearFire and said he was going to shoot everyone at the fundraiser in Oroville! #NorthComplexWestZone He's also a felon w/illegal firearms. Wow. Charges will be sought...

.@ButteSheriff - 181 calls about welfare of loved ones who have not evacuated or people cannot contact. We've located 160 individuals. They are SAFE. Sheriff continues to look for 7 people. Down from 13 missing. #NorthComplexWestZone

Total number of individuals killed in #NorthComplexWestZone to be 14. Remains of two more people were found today. No more additional information available until identities & next of kin are contacted.

They identified one of the people killed. Took time to identify due to his family being in Pakistan. Contact @ButteSheriff for more information. #NorthComplexWestZone

#NorthComplexWestZone
Now Q&As
Q - When will wind pick up?
A - 10 AM

Q - When will air quality improve?
A - Will take substantially strong weather system to move smoke from throughout region.

Meteorologist: It could be 15 days or more. Month of September = crappy air quality (my words, not his)
#NorthComplexWestZone

#NorthComplexWestZone
"We have a LONG way to go with the fire reaching Paradise and it's not threatened at all."

As always, if you're in the fire preparedness club you have a plan in place: readyforwildfire.org

YANKEE HILL
#NorthComplexWestZone
We have primary lines along fires edge, alternative line & contingency into Hwy 70 at Jarbo Gap. CAL FIRE feeling good!!

#NorthComplexWestZone
If you go home and see yellow tape (like crime scene) it means that a law enforcement officer has checked your home and cleared your property (meaning you evacuated and it's clear).

STAY SAFE, STAY VIGILANT
I am an independent journalist who reports about fires. If you find my reporting valuable please consider supporting my work via venmo.com/SarahStierch, $SarahStierch or paypal.me/SarahStierch. Thank you. 🖖