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Fire complex at California-Nevada border swells to 55,000 acres

by Terell Wilkins, Reno Gazette-Journal |

The Beckwourth Complex Fire has grown to more than 55,000 acres and is 9 percent contained as of Saturday morning, according to the Plumas National Forest Service.

Comprising two separate fires, the Dotta and Sugar Fires, Plumas National Forest Service released an update Saturday morning stating that the Beckwourth Complex grew rapidly overnight towards the northeast.

While the Dotta Fire area did not grow in size, the Sugar Fire increased by more than 16,365 acres.

The Dotta Fire is currently 670 acres and 80 percent contained, while the Sugar Fire is officially 54,421 acres and 8 percent contained, according to the Plumas National Forest Service. The blaze reached Constantia Road and moved to within one mile of Doyle Grade Road.

Officials say critically dry and hot temperatures, topography arrangement and southwest winds funneling through the area are aiding the swift spread of the fire.

Evacuation orders have been reduced to warnings for residents south of Highway 70 between Beckwourth-Genesee Road and the Plumas-Lassen County line, according to the Plumas National Forest Service.

Doyle Grade residents are under mandatory evacuation orders as of Saturday morning, according to California Incident Management Operations Section Chief Jake Cagle.