Monday, 27 July 2026, 23:47
The Loomis Fire, ignited on July 11, 2026, near Dixie Valley in Lassen County, has grown to 656 acres and is now 50% contained, according to CAL FIRE. Firefighters are making steady progress despite challenging terrain, with containment lines completed around the entire perimeter.
Dozers and hand crews have finished containment lines around the fire's perimeter. Crews are now focused on mop-up operations—extinguishing interior heat—and establishing blackened containment lines to further secure the fire. Short-range spotting has been observed, but firefighters have quickly extinguished these spot fires, keeping the incident within its current footprint. The terrain is steep and difficult to access, yet crews have made significant gains.
Firefighters from the CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, who had been assisting on the nearby 3-1 Pit Fire, were redirected to the Loomis Fire on July 12, according to a CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit Facebook post. The unit currently has two engine strike teams, six crew strike teams, and additional resources assigned between the two fires. The 3-1 Pit Fire was estimated at 1,055 acres and 70% contained at that time. These deployments reflect California’s mutual aid system, which moves firefighters, equipment, and resources to areas of greatest need while maintaining protection for communities statewide.
On the morning of July 11, CAL FIRE CZU Strike Team 9170C was returning from the 3-1 Pit Fire in Lassen County when firefighters spotted smoke. They contacted the CAL FIRE Lassen-Modoc Emergency Command Center to report they were in the area and ready to assist. The center requested their help, sending the strike team to begin an initial attack on the Loomis Fire in the area of Loomis Cabin and Spring Gulch roads, south of Bieber in Lassen County, and the Lumbee Fire, west of Little Valley Road and Lumbee Drive in Little Valley. Once on scene, Strike Team Leader Bob Simmons served as the Division Delta supervisor, while Strike Team Leader-trainee Josh Clark took over Division X-ray. A division supervisor directs all tactical actions, manages assigned resources and holds total operational accountability for their piece of the fire line. The Lumbee and Loomis fires were combined into a single incident on the afternoon of July 11. Although the merged incident was initially identified as the Lumbee Fire, it was later renamed the Loomis Fire in official incident tracking.
Current fire conditions remain favorable, with a low probability of ignition allowing safe and effective suppression. Forecasts call for breezy southwest to west winds and a chance of rain and thunderstorms after 1:00 p.m., with relative humidity rising into the mid-60% range. This moisture will help moderate fire behavior and aid crews. Dry grasses and light vegetation remain susceptible, but the weather shift is expected to provide an advantage. Thunderstorms continue to move through the area, bringing the potential for lightning. Overnight rainfall created favorable conditions for suppression efforts, allowing firefighters to make continued progress in strengthening containment lines and extinguishing remaining heat.
Thunderstorms and lightning moved through the area on July 14, resulting in a few new fire starts. Ground and air resources responded quickly and were able to rapidly contain and extinguish those fires, preventing further spread. On July 15, the fire area experienced hotter and drier conditions, but a small area of rain fell over a smaller fire that is part of the Loomis Fire, providing wetting rain without additional lightning activity.
On July 16, an infrared mapping aircraft flew over the fire overnight to identify remaining areas of heat. The infrared imagery is helping firefighters pinpoint hot spots so crews can focus suppression efforts in those locations. Personnel are also continuing to strengthen and improve containment lines while making good black line around the fire perimeter to further secure the incident and increase overall containment. Fire personnel are looking to start Fire Suppression Repair on the morning of July 17.
Lassen County, in northeastern California, is a rural area with vast wildlands and limited population centers. The Loomis Fire threatens critical infrastructure and railroad operations, prompting evacuation warnings. Residents should monitor Genasys Protect for zone updates. Fire resources and emergency vehicles are heavily present; drivers are urged to slow down and watch for firefighters along roadways.
As of July 12, evacuation orders are in place for zone LAS-141-A, which is fully closed to public access. Evacuation warnings are in effect for zones LAS-141-B, LAS-143, LAS-145, LAS-153, and LAS-157. These orders and warnings are due to both the Loomis Fire and the nearby Lumbee Fire, which has burned 95 acres with no containment. Evacuation warnings for the 3-1 Pit Fire have been lifted. As of July 13, all evacuation orders and warnings for the area have been lifted.
California's wildfire season often peaks in summer, with dry grasses and timber fueling rapid spread. The Loomis Fire started July 11 at 60 acres and grew quickly—to 124 acres by afternoon, 350 acres by evening, and 400 acres by nightfall. Ground crews and night-flying helicopters helped slow its growth. The fire is now at 656 acres, with containment rising from 5% to 50% over several days.
The 3-1 Pit Fire, which started July 7 near Little Valley and Wilson Springs roads southeast of McArthur, is now 95% contained and has burned 1,055 acres as of July 14. Crews are locating and extinguishing scattered interior hot spots while continuing mop-up operations. Firefighters worked through Tuesday night to extinguish remaining hot spots and are completing a blackline around the entire perimeter. Suppression repair efforts are ongoing, with plans to complete those activities by the end of the day Wednesday.
Firefighters continue to strengthen containment and mop up hot spots, aiming for full containment. Residents should stay alert to changing evacuation orders and follow CAL FIRE updates. The cause remains under investigation.
