‘Many Homes’ Burned Overnight in Janesville by the Dixie Fire
The Dixie Fire continued its devastating path through Northern California on Monday night, burning through homes in the town of Janesville near Honey Lake in Lassen County. The fire burned all the way to Highway 395 and is now approximately 10 miles from the town of Susanville.
The Dixie Fire, California’s largest single fire ever, has now burned 604,511 acres and is 31 percent contained. Officials on the scene of the fire’s growth last night reported extreme fire behavior including multiple fire whirls and tornadoes.
This fire whirl jumped 395 and lit the east side on fire. Scariest footage I’ve shot yet. #DixieFire pic.twitter.com/PS5wJMmaMC
— Brett Forrest (@brettforrest89) August 17, 2021
The flames eventually reached homes in Janesville, burning “many homes” according to a reporter.
This was a tough night. Can confirm many homes and other structures burned. Heading back to Reno now. Expect another rough day tomorrow with forecasted winds. #DixieFire pic.twitter.com/NmdJmx2I0n
— Brett Forrest (@brettforrest89) August 17, 2021
The fire has now burned through 1,180 structures as it continues its path around Lake Almanor and towards Susanville. With heavy winds in the forecast, Susanville’s population of 15,064 people sits on edge.
Meteorologists are tracking a weather system in those areas that could bring sustained winds of up to 40 mph, gusting higher in foothills and mountains. The National Weather Service issued Fire Weather Watches in the areas Tuesday through Wednesday based on forecasts for dry, northerly winds and low relative humidity.
Due to the increased fire weather, PG&E sent out notifications to 39,000Â customers on Sunday night warning of the impending power shutdowns on Tuesday night and lasting through Wednesday afternoon. The shutdowns could impact 48,000 residents, mostly in Butte and Shasta counties, with more affected in small portions of 18 counties in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the North Coast, the North Valley and the North Bay mountains.
