Dixie Fire grows by another 7,000 acres

725,000 acres have burned near Susanville, CA

Updated at 2:21 p.m. PDT August 23, 2021

Dixie Fire map
Dixie Fire map. The black line was the perimeter mapped by a fixed wing aircraft at 8:00 p.m. PDT August 22, 2021. The red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at 3:51 a.m. PDT August 23, 2021. The dark red areas had extreme heat during the mapping flight.

The Dixie Fire was mapped Sunday evening at 725,821 acres after growing by about 4,000 acres in the previous 24 hours.

CAL FIRE has a list of changes in evacuation orders.

(To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Dixie Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.)

Below is an update from the Incident Management Team on Monday:

“The eastern edge of the fire line towards Janesville area remains secure with crews on the ground continuing the mop up hot spots around the structures in Milford. On the southern edge above Antelope Lake, resources continue to work the fire’s edge to tie it into the Lake.

“In Genesee Valley, resources continue to mop up around structures. Firefighters are engaging the fire that has made its way down to the road as they continue to catch any spots or slops to secure it at the road. There are two spot fires on the south end of Genesee Valley. One is below the Grizzly Spot and will burn into it, the other has been contained in the creek. Today crews will work to minimize any spread moving towards homes.”


2:40 p.m. PDT August 22, 2021

Dixie Fire vicinity map, August 22, 2021
Dixie Fire vicinity map, August 22, 2021

The Dixie Fire in northern California near Susanville and Chester is still very active in five areas after having grown to 721,000 acres.

Working clockwise, starting on the east side:

  • West of Honey Lake and Highway 395. The spot fire that started five miles in front of the main fire and ran to the highway burning about 20,000 acres, is active on its southeast side not far from the highway and near Antelope Lake. Near Milford (see the map below) the fire crossed the line Saturday and winds quickly drove the fire toward structures. Crews, equipment, and engines were in place to protect the community and minimize impacts. Assessments are ongoing. On Sunday firefighters will continue to reinforce the lines and work to minimize any additional spread toward Milford. Other very active areas:
  • Wilcox Valley, and the area east of Taylorsville is very active and spreading.
  • Northeast of Mountain Meadows Reservoir near Hamilton Mountain Road south of Highway 36.
  • Northwest perimeter in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
  • West side near Mill Creek, Fire Mountain, and Highway 36.

On Sunday firefighters expect the fire to impact the west end of the Genesee Valley toward Taylorsville, threatening many structures along Genesee Valley road.

A much milder weather pattern is expected Sunday and into the middle of next week. A very weak area of low pressure will remain off the west coast through mid-week, keeping a light southwest flow over the incident with near normal temperatures and humidity values. Moderate overnight humidity recoveries may provide opportunities for line construction and firing operations.

Dixie Fire map, east side
Dixie Fire map, east side. The black line was the perimeter determined during a fixed wing mapping flight at 8:45 p.m. PDT August 21, 2021. The red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at 2:49 a.m. PDT August 22, 2021. The red shaded areas had intense heat during the mapping flight.
Dixie Fire map, west side
Dixie Fire map, west side. The black line was the perimeter determined during a fixed wing mapping flight at 8:45 p.m. PDT August 21, 2021. The red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at 2:49 a.m. PDT August 22, 2021. The red shaded areas had intense heat during the mapping flight.

The estimated costs of just suppressing the fire for about five weeks has increased to $328 million. That figure does not include rehab to the burned area, damage to improvements and structures, loss of income at nearby businesses, or costs incurred by the residents while they are evacuated.

Resources assigned as of Saturday evening included 19 helicopters, 480 fire engines, 207 dozers, 188 water tenders, and 98 crews for a total of 5,891 personnel.

Dixie Fire
Dixie Fire near Genesse Valley, August 21, 2021. InciWeb photo.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

10 thoughts on “Dixie Fire grows by another 7,000 acres”

  1. I think the state needs a bigger budget for the wildfires , not that they are doing anything wrong just more equipment and fire fighters. Maybe more controlled burns and clearing areas. The Air quality board I heard has a lot to do with the burns.

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  2. God bless all those involved with fighting all the fires from those servering food and water to those actually fighting them and cutting fire lines and mopping up . Praying everyone comes home safely .

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  3. The strategy being used by CAL Fire is coming into question by many now.
    Are they going “full out with attack at NIGHT?”
    Are they predetermining “fire advancing fuels” and prepping hose lays accordingly?

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    1. Well they are risking their lives to try to save others, i dont think anyone is questioning that.

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  4. What does the pink shading on the east side and Westside maps mean. I assume the brown shaded areas indicate burned areas well inside the fire perimeter.

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    1. Good question, Rick. I have switched to a different GIS program, and issues like that are going to crop up. The green areas are USFS land. The pink areas are within the burn area and outside of the National Forest boundary. The red shading for the burn area, at 60 percent transparency, when on top of the green FS land, shows up as brownish-green. Outside the FS boundary it appears light red, or pink.

      Thanks for pointing it out. Next time I’ll try a more aggressive color for the burned area.

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