- The Elephant Fire has burned 13,681 acres near Loyalton, California, in the northern Sierra Nevada, as of July 17.
- Containment has increased to 77%, aided by wetting rain over the last 24 hours.
- All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted as of July 14.
- An illegal drone temporarily grounded aerial firefighting operations, prompting an investigation by the Sierra County Sheriff's Office.
- Thunderstorms are forecast, bringing potential wetting rains but also lightning and flood risks.
Fire Overview and Current Status
The Elephant Fire, ignited Saturday afternoon near Highway 49 along the Sierra-Plumas county line, has rapidly expanded to over 13,681 acres as of July 17. Burning primarily through grass and sagebrush within the Tahoe National Forest, the fire is 77% contained. The fire started at 1:27 p.m. July 11 off Highway 49, about two miles northeast of Loyalton, near the Sierra and Plumas County line. The cause remains under investigation. The fire is moving northeast, mostly away from the community of Loyalton, but poses risks to rural areas in Lassen and Plumas counties. Fire behavior slightly moderated overnight, but the blaze remained “very active,” according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire's growth has made it the second largest in the state so far this year, outside of the Santa Rosa Island fire, which burned 18,379 acres in May before it was fully contained. The fire grew to 6,436 acres by July 12 and 12,303 acres by July 13, with containment at 5% at that time. By July 15, the fire was 13,016 acres and 31% contained, and by July 16, it reached 13,476 acres with 77% containment. As of July 17, the fire is 13,681 acres with containment remaining at 77%. However, on July 15, containment temporarily decreased from 42% to 31% due to updated mapping that changed the blaze's perimeter shape, according to a U.S. Forest Service - Tahoe National Forest Facebook post. The fire also grew to 15,526 acres at one point, but later mapping revised the acreage downward.
Evacuations and Community Impact
The Lassen County Sheriff's Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for zone LAS-451-A around 4:15 p.m. on July 12, and the order remains in effect for areas west of U.S. 395 and south of Highway 70. Evacuation warnings are in place for LAS-671-B in Lassen County and zones PLU-114 and PLU-104A in Plumas County. The Sierra County Sheriff's Office reports no immediate threat to Loyalton or Sierra Brooks, but continues to monitor the situation. Fire crews say that the fire could possibly impact areas like Scott Road, Chilcoot and Highway 395 near Hallelujah Junction. The Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative said July 12 night that customers near South Scott Road may see power outages due to the spread of the fire. However, all evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted as of July 14. Officials said people should still be "aware and continue to use caution in and around the surrounding area." Earlier evacuation orders in Lassen County were lifted effective late July 13, but warnings still remain in place for parts of Lassen and Plumas Counties.
Smoke drift from the Elephant Fire is expected to continue moving into Washoe County, Nevada, particularly in the North Valleys, Cold Springs, Red Rock, Sparks, and Spanish Springs, according to a Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Facebook post. The fire district noted that there is no threat to those communities at this time.
Firefighting Efforts and Challenges
Approximately 500 personnel are battling the blaze, using bulldozers to construct fire lines and helicopters to drop retardant and water. However, operations were briefly halted July 12 when an illegal drone entered the airspace. The drone, reported by a vigilant citizen, forced aerial crews to ground temporarily, delaying suppression efforts and increasing risks to firefighters, according to the Sierra County Sheriff's Office. Authorities are investigating the incident. The U.S. Forest Service put out a reminder July 13 that it is illegal to use drones near wildfires. The Sierra County Sheriff's Office said on July 13 that the preliminary investigation indicates the drone was not only operated in a manner that interfered with active firefighting aircraft, but was also flown at an altitude that exceeded legal operating limits and within airspace that had been closed under a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) established for wildfire suppression operations. Deputies responded to the area, identified the drone operator, and ensured the device no longer posed a threat before firefighting aircraft could resume operations.
Firefighters are attacking the Elephant Fire from the ground and air using a coordinated strategy to slow the fire’s spread and protect nearby communities and natural resources. On the ground, crews and bulldozers are working to build firelines where terrain and conditions allow, creating barriers to help stop the fire’s forward progress. From the air, aircraft are making targeted retardant and water drops in areas where they can have the greatest impact. These combined efforts are helping firefighters strengthen containment opportunities while keeping safety as the top priority. Firefighters have been challenged by ridgetop winds, dry fuels, and difficult terrain. Heavy smoke has been visible throughout that region. 525 firefighters are assigned to the incident.
Since burning operations northeast of Loyalton on Tuesday, July 14, were successful, firefighters have shifted their focus to securing lines and mopping up, fire officials said. A flare-up on the northwest portion of the fire spread rapidly, outpacing direct suppression efforts. Crews conducted a defensive burn operation to secure firelines in that area. A suppression repair plan is being drafted for implementation in the near future. Crews and fire equipment will be visible near power infrastructure along Scott Road, the community of Chilcoot, and Highway 395 near Hallelujah Junction.
Incident Management Team Nevada IMT3 Team 1 has been assigned to the fire to coordinate suppression efforts. The team was expected to take command of the incident July 13 evening.
Weather Outlook
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the area, with meteorologist Heather Richards of the National Weather Service in Reno noting that wetting rains may become widespread July 13 afternoon. While moisture could help reduce lightning risk, July 14 is expected to bring stormier conditions and potential flooding. Winds over ridgetops are reaching 30 mph, complicating containment efforts. The area experienced wetting rain over the last 24 hours, which allowed crews to strengthen containment lines. However, officials warn that a warming and drying trend through the rest of the week may create challenges for continued fire suppression efforts. Outflow winds from thunderstorms were expected to become more likely early in the week. "Fire crews are using this weather window to continue securing the fireline while working towards full containment," the U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe National Forest update read. A warming and drying trend is forecast through Friday, with breezes from the west to southwest. Wind gusts and dry fuels will continue to create challenges for firefighting efforts, particularly at exposed ridges.
Local California Context
The Elephant Fire is burning within the scar of the 2020 Loyalton Fire, which previously burned through the same region. Crews are working in the footprint of the 2020 Loyalton Fire, where snags and heavy dead fuels could make direct firefighting more difficult. The fire is burning through grass and sagebrush within the 2020 Loyalton Fire footprint and in other parts is going through “timber litter and timber understory with snags and heavy dead fuel loading.” The fire's location near Loyalton, about 140 miles northeast of Sacramento and 44 miles northwest of Reno, places it in a remote, rugged area of the Sierra Nevada. The fire's growth has been fueled by dry fuels and terrain, with crews working to protect structures and critical infrastructure in the sparsely populated region.
Background
The 2020 Loyalton Fire, which burned over 47,000 acres, serves as a stark reminder of wildfire risks in this area. The Elephant Fire's rapid spread—growing by 2,000 acres on July 12 alone—highlights the ongoing threat of wildfires in California's Sierra Nevada, exacerbated by drought conditions and climate change. The cause of the current fire remains under investigation.
Conclusion
Firefighters continue to make progress, but containment remains low. Residents in affected zones should heed evacuation orders and stay informed through official channels. The illegal drone incident underscores the critical need to keep airspace clear for emergency operations. As thunderstorms approach, the situation may improve, but risks persist.