Plumas County Sheriff's Office

Earlier today we responded to the report of an airplane accident at the Nervino Airport in Beckwourth. The Deputy and emergency personnel arrived on scene and contacted the pilot and three passengers. Luckily nobody was injured. Due to the occupants not being from the area the Deputy along with an Officer from the CHP - Quincy provided them with a ride. The accident occurred during take off after refueling and the cause is unknown. A big thank you to EPHC Ambulance the Beckwourth Fire Department, FAA Reno and the NTSB for their assistance!

Currently on SR-89-from from Graeagle to Little Truckee Summit chains are required SR-49-from Yuba Pass to Vinton chains are required ... SR-70- no restrictions US-395- no restrictions

Stunning views in Sierra Valley this morning!

Here is the most recent weather information provided to us by the US National Weather Service Reno Nevada. Heavy snow and strong winds are expected to impact our region. As we posted a couple days ago be sure you have gas in your cars, batteries, extra gas for the generator (if you have one), some water on hand if you have a well, snow shovels, and do your best not to park on the street so the plow trucks can effectively do their jobs! If you have neighbors with functional needs, try your best to check on them and help them out when you can! Stay home if you can and as always if the need arises PCSO will be ready to respond to your calls for service by calling our Dispatch Center at 530-283-6300. Stay safe!

QUICK CHANGE SCAM is when an individual targets cashiers by paying for small priced items with a large bill (like a $50). Before the cashier can give back the change the suspect will engage the cashier in a speedy series of money exchanges thereby confusing the cashier. In the confusion, the suspect will tell the cashier how much money to give back, thus short changing the cashier. To avoid being a victim to the scam, only complete the transaction for the purchase then clos...e the cash register. If the customer is asking to exchange bills be weary of the scam and contact your manager before engaging in further interactions. Recently an individual in the Portoa area has been going around to several local businesses and attempting this scam, some have fallen victim. If you become a victim to the scam report it to the Sheriff’s Office along with a detailed physical description including clothing of the suspect(s). Ensure that any security video footage is saved. If you have information about the identity of the suspect, or any other criminal activity call the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office at 530-283-6300.

A winter Storm Watch goes into effect Tuesday through Friday. Large accumulations of snow are expected in many parts of Plumas County. If you must travel, pack chains and be prepared for significant winter weather conditions. Get highway conditions 24/7 via QuickMap (http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ ) or by calling 1-800-427-7623. US National Weather Service Sacramento California US National Weather Service Reno Nevada With winter storms also comes the possibility for power outage...s. Make sure to fill up your gas tanks, check those flashlight batteries, and if you have a well be sure to have some water on hand. Have a safe week!

Be on the lookout

We are extremely saddened by the tragic deaths of a Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff and the Sheriff’s K9 who were shot and killed last night. An additional Deputy was injured and we are praying for a quick and healthy recovery. Our thoughts and prays go out to the SCSO family and the family of the fallen Deputy and K9.

We were just informed that a unidentifiable flying object has been seen in the sky headed toward California... we will be issuing a Be on the lookout via radio soon.

Don’t worry, Plumas County, we got him! We hope you and your families have a great Christmas! we do not own the rights to the music in this video

There is a testing session for the position of Correctional Officer scheduled for later this month. If you are interested, you can apply at the link provided. https://www.plumascounty.us/Jobs.aspx

The tree has been cleared and the roadway is open! Attention travelers!

STATEMENT FROM SHERIFF TODD JOHNS REGARDING CALIFORNIA’S LIMITED STAY AT HOME ORDER As you may be aware, California's Public Health Officer, Dr. Erica S. Pan, issued a Limited Stay at Home Order on November 19, 2020 which took effect at 10:00 PM on Saturday, November 21, 2020 and will remain in effect until 5:00 AM on December 21, 2020. In general terms, the order provides that ‘non-essential’ work, movement and gatherings are prohibited between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM in counti...es within the purple tier. There has been considerable speculation and rumoring regarding the restrictions imposed by the order, including the extent to which the Sheriff’s Office will enforce this order. As the Sheriff of Plumas County, I want to assure you that the basic laws which protect our freedoms are inviolable and this Office will not be formally involved in this order’s enforcement. Simply put, deputies will not be checking on homes and stopping vehicles to ensure compliance with this order. I continue to ask that the members of our community take personal responsibility for their health and well-being and do all they can to help protect the same of other members of our community. I cannot overstate the importance of voluntary compliance with common-sense measures, such as social distancing, the use of face-coverings where appropriate, proper hygiene, staying at home when sick and other related health recommendations.

The final weather all-clears have been given for the October 21-23 power shutoff event. Unfortunately we have been made aware of another Diablo Wind event Sunday into Tuesday. PG&E has placed Plumas County into the Watch category for this wind event and is currently anticipating shutting off power, which will impact an estimated 1,942 residents between October 25 and 28th. We do not currently have a map for the area(s) expected to be impacted; however, we will post more infor...mation when it becomes available. You can monitor this event via the PG&E website below for the most up to date information. pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/updates/

A message from Sheriff Johns regarding COVID-19 in Plumas County Links Plumascounty.us (click on the COVID-19 tab)... CDPH.ca.gov

This week is National School Bus Safety Week! As local schools are preparing to open (kind of) on Oct. 26th, please remember to stop and allow the passengers t...o load and unload safely and until the red lights stop flashing. Additionally, the only vehicles that don’t have to stop are vehicles traveling in the opposite direction AND when there are multiple lanes of travel or a physical barrier. See more

Update on power outages that are affecting Quincy and Bucks Lake areas: A tree top came down into power lines in the canyon near the 70/89 junction and took the lines out. PG&E hopes to have power restored early evening tonight.

UPDATE 10/21/2020 at 2:37 PM PG&E has indicated the power shutoff is now expected to effect 434 customers in the area of Bucks Lake and the Feather River Canyon west of the Rush Creek area. Citizens should visit the PG&E website to see if they will be effected and when. https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/updates/ ******************* PG&E has notified us they may need to shut power off to portions of Plumas County between 10/21 and 10/23 for a potential Diablo Wind event acros...s Northern California. According to PG&E, as of today the effected population will be approximately 347 customers in the La Porte/Little Grass Valley Reservoir area. We will continue to monitor and post updates if new information becomes available. Although they have only indicated the southernmost portion of our county being effected, please know this information could change at any time. See more

Air attack has made good progress suppressing. The fire still has not crossed Hwy. 70.

UPDATE He is home safe! *****************************... A few kids located this male chocolate lab loose near Chester High School. If you’re his owner or know who his owner is please give us a call at 530-283-6300. See more

This is a great tool! We have worked with the Plumas County GIS Coordinator along with the U.S. Forest Service-Plumas National Forest to provide this interactive map for the public. The RED indicates the #northcomplexfire current perimeter and the ORANGE indicates forest closure areas for the Lassen, Feather River and Mount Hough Ranger Districts. Take note, all of the Federal land around Bucks Lake and La Porte is CLOSED. This map will be especially helpful for hunters who are trying to figure out what areas they can be in. https://mangomap.com//claremont-fire-evacuation-informatio#

2:10 PM UPDATE All evacuation orders related to this incident have been lifted! **********... This morning at approximately 10:45 we received a call of a vegetation fire south of Hwy 70 in the area of the Green Gulch Ranch. Emergency personnel were immediately dispatched and subsequently responded. The size and cause of the fire is not known. An Evacuation Order has been issued for Hwy 70 at the Green Gulch Ranch extending east to the county line. To include Vinton, Chilcoot, and the Frenchman Lake Road corridor. As of now the spread rate has slowed and we are hoping for the arrival of precipitation soon. Aircraft has been deployed and is actively working the fire. Evacuees are asked to leave the area or assemble at the Sierra Valley Fire Station where more information will be made available as it comes in.

Plumas County Invites Comments on the Public Review Draft 2020 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Plumas County is developing a 2020 Update to the 2014 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). Wildfire, floods, drought, and severe weather are just a few of the hazards of concern. The overall update process began in January 2020 with an initial public meeting and the establishment of a Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC). The Plan is scheduled to be finalized and submitte...d to the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in October 2020. To download electronic copy, go to the Plumas County Office of Emergency Services (OES) website at: https://www.plumascounty.us/2218/Documents To review a hard copy, go to the Plumas County Public Library branches in Quincy (445 Jackson Street), Greenville (204 Ann Street), Chester (210 First Avenue), and Portola (34 Third Avenue) or visit the Planning & Building Services counter at 555 Main Street, Quincy. Virtual Zoom Public Meeting - October 20, 2020 6:00PM to 7:30PM. The public is welcome to join, ask questions, and provide comments. Additional information on the Zoom call in information, will be available on the County’s OES website at: https://plumascounty.us//Planning-Committee-and-Public-Mee Submit Comments by Friday, October 23, 2020: Physical location/ Planning & Building Services, Planning Department Mailing address: 555 Main Street, Quincy, CA 95971 Attn: Tracey Ferguson, Planning Director Email address: [email protected] If you have any questions, please contact Director Ferguson at 530-283-6214. Thank you for your engagement in the process!

Effective immediately, ALL Evacuation Orders and Advisories for Plumas County related to the #northcomplexfire have been LIFTED. PCSO would like to thank the residents and those effected by this incident for their patience and continued support during this incident. We would also like to thank the California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 for their hard work and dedication during this enduring incident along with all of our other cooperators; like, CHP - Quincy, U.S. Forest Service-Plumas National Forest, Caltrans District 2, Plumas County Public Works, Plumas County IT, Plumas County GIS, and everyone else.

UPDATE: As of 6 p.m. State Route 70 is now open from North Fork Feather River Bridge to just east of Tobin (Plumas County). #NorthComplex no longer impacting roadway. FINAL

Yesterday, Deputies participated in driver training/awareness at the Chester Airport. The training was presented by our local CHP Office. We’d like to thank Officer Rood and CHP - Quincy for the great training! The other half of our department will participate in this training later this month.

UPDATE 10/7/2020 at 3:00PM On October 7, 2020 the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office was notified the remains located at the end of First Ave in Chester CA were that of Dominic Potts of Greenville CA. Dominic Potts was an active missing person’s case with this office. The remains were identified through the use of a forensic odontologist. In November of 2018 this office started an investigation into the disappearance of Potts. Potts’ vehicle was located shortly after he was ...reported missing in the area of First Ave. This is the same general vicinity of where the skull was located on Monday, October 5th. The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our condolences to the family of Dominic Potts. ******** On Monday, October 5th, 2020 the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a call from a hunter who had possibly located a human skull in the wooded area at the south end of First Ave Chester/Lake Almanor. A Deputy and Sergeant were dispatched to the area and confirmed it was a human skull. The Plumas County Search and Rescue Team have been sent to the area to search for additional remains. The skull has been transported to the medical examiner’s office for identification. Once the remains have been identified the Sheriff’s Department will provide an update.

PG&E has shut off power to the Bucks Lake and Haskins areas, due to aircraft working near the penstocks. The power shut off is expected to last through tomorro...w evening (Wednesday, October 7th). However, this time frame is subject to change. Per the Plumas County Sheriff's Office, these areas remain under a Mandatory Evacuation. These photos illustrate the terrain that our crews and aircraft are working in along the penstocks.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY (PLUMAS COUNTY) - State Route 70 is now open to one-way traffic control with a pilot car between Rock Crest and Rock Creek. However, the road can be subject to a full closure at any time due to fire activity.

This morning we met with several agencies at the Incident Command Post to evaluate all of the closures, evacuations and advisories in Plumas County. Effective at 12:00 PM today we will be lifting all road closures and evacuations advisories along La Porte Rd from the Plumas/Yuba County Line north down Quincy La Porte Road to Highway 70. For Bucks Lake, the mandatory evacuation order will remain in place. After speaking with the IMT and looking at the weather, there are highe...r winds expected to impact the fire west of Bucks Lake and we need to see what this weather/wind will do to fire activity before we reassess lifting any orders in the Bucks Lake area. For information on any changes to the Highway 70 closure please monitor the CHP - Quincy and Caltrans District 2 Facebook pages. Another reminder, people using Hwy 162 from Butte County to access the MANDATORY closure area of Bucks Lake. Nobody should be accessing Bucks Lake via Hwy 162 at this time. According to Butte County Sheriff "ORO-QUINCY HWY FROM LAKE MADRONE NORTH TO THE BUTTE COUNTY LINE. (Open to residents only)". Please stop bypassing the closure signs and trying to access the Bucks Lake area! You are putting yourself and fire personnel working in the area at risk. PCSO would like to extend a huge thank you to the public for your support and patience during this lengthy incident.

The temporary access to Bucks Lake has been continued to include October 5th, 2020. We continue to consult with the Incident Management Team so we can make our decisions regarding closures and advisories and will continue to do so daily. PCSO has chosen to maintain the Bucks Lake area Mandatory Evacuation at this time and will continue to allow temporary access to the Bucks Lake area through at least Monday 10/5. We want the public to be aware, our office makes the ultimate... decision when it comes to implementing any closures and advisories; however, we do so after collaborating with the Incident Management Team and others involved in the incident. We wanted to clear this information up as many people have contacted the USFS and asked them why they are not lifting the evacuation order for Bucks Lake and other areas. We also wanted to address the topic of people using Hwy 162 from Butte County to access the MANDATORY closure area of Bucks Lake. Nobody should be accessing Bucks Lake via Hwy 162 at this time. According to Butte County Sheriff "ORO-QUINCY HWY FROM LAKE MADRONE NORTH TO THE BUTTE COUNTY LINE. (Open to residents only)". Please stop bypassing the closure signs and trying to access the Bucks Lake area! You are putting yourself and fire personnel working in the area at risk.