California Wildfire Affected Areas: North Complex Fire
Bear Fire + Claremont Fire 2020 North Complex Fire Butte County & Plumas County 318,935 Acres burned Curtain Falls on Middle Feather River The Bear Fire and the Claremont Fire were lightning strike forest fires that began in mid August - located in the remote, steep drainage of the Middle Feather River, between Lake Oroville and Quincy, CA. The two small fires were under managed in a granite canyon for 3 weeks, while numerous other lightning 'complex' fires raged throughout California. USFS Plumas fire managers decided it was best to merge these two fires - right before a big wind event. And then, all hell broke loose. On Tuesday Sept 8, the northeasterly winds (blowing 60+ mph) pushed the combination fire westward, down canyon and like a funnel, it began spilling over into neighboring hills, forests and residential areas near Lake Oroville. Ancient forests, sacred sites, residential homes and historic cabins were torched in a matter of hours. Total Escape founder, DanaMi