July 2021, Volume 4
Reach Out - Connect - Take Part

UPS Packages Being Held Due to Fires

Due to the changing conditions of the Dixie fire, UPS will not be servicing areas under mandatory and advised evacuation. This includes everything past the highway 70/89 turn off at the Greenville Wye, the feather river canyon, Taylorsville, Greenville, Prattville, Canyon Dam, LA West, and Chester. These specific packages will be returned to our Sacramento hub to be stored in a secure location until the evacuations are lifted. If you live in the areas of Bucks lake or Meadow Valley and you are safely able, we ask that you call our center rather than coming to our building to pick-up.
Please call and leave a detailed message with your:
First and last name
Phone number
Address the package would have been delivered to
If possible, a description of the package (to help us locate it)
Before calling, please confirm that your package is indeed UPS. You can do this by checking the issued tracking number. It will start with “1Z”.
Please bring a valid ID with your name and address to avoid scams or theft. 
For your convenience, there are two numbers available to call: 
530-283-4269
530-283-1989
The address for the UPS facility is 233 Danny Ct, in Quincy, CA. 
We apologize for the inconvenience, and ask for your patience as we are trying to avoid sending your packages back to the shipper. Thank you for your time. 
Sincerely, UPS STAFF Quincy, CA

Job Board

Employment and Career Opportunities

The Greater Lake Almanor Basin offers a variety of seasonal, part and full-time positions for those seeking employment. Please check out the link below and discover how fun and rewarding a career or job in this beautiful area can be. 
www.lakealmanorarea.com/employment

This week's featured job:



Cravings

Accepting applications for host/hostess, line cook and server. Please stop by during business hours to inquire, call (530) 258-2229 or email chestercravings@gmail.com.
278 Main Street Chester, CA 96020
Thursday-Monday 7am-2pm

Welcome to our Newest Chamber Members


Almanor Girl
Catherine Altenburg

Five Star Bank
Jon Gregory
jcgregory48@gmail.com

Forever Home & Outdoor
Josh & Christa Herman
foreverhomechester@gmail.com

Pizza Factory of Chester
Michael and Laura Kincaid
CHESTER@PIZZAFACTORY.COM

Watkins Pet Supply
Michelle Watkins
michelle@watkinspetsupply.com

About Us

The Town Chatter is made possible through the funding of our Community Partners:

Collins Pine
Coldwell Banker Kehr/O'Brien Real Estate
Rouland Insurance
Seneca Healthcare District.


Chamber Board Meetings are at 8:30 am on the 2nd TUESDAY of each month in the Chamber office at 278 Main Street. All are welcome. Zoom is available.

Lake Almanor Area Chamber
530.258.2426
278 Main St., Chester
P.O. Box 1198  96020
Info@lakealmanorarea.com


www.LakeAlmanorArea.com

We Appreciate You!

Photo credit: Millard Ralph, Control Freak

Bits & Pieces

Local Kids Create Signs to Thank First Responders

Events Canceled Due to Dixie Fire
  • Lake Almanor Farmers Market Thursday 7/29
  • Almanor Art Show 7/31-8/1
  • Annual Fishing Association BBQ & Fundraiser 7/31
  • Chester Library Book Sale 7/31-8/1
  • Bayou By the Lake 8/28

Your Lake Almanor Area Chamber will try to stay up-to-date with Dixie Fire Information as best we can on our Chamber website and social media page. Here is the direct link to our website: https://www.lakealmanorarea.com/dixie-fire.html

Waste Management Rescheduling
With a wildfire in the area affecting the safety of our drivers and community, all customers commercial, residential, roll off waste service will be affected in Plumas County and we’re unable to service as scheduled. Services will now be provided when conditions allow.

The Almanor Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund and Other News

Almanor Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund
The Almanor Foundation is gearing up to to accept donations to help those affected by the Dixie Fire and any future incidents. The North Valley Community Foundation has come to our assistance again, while we await our 501c3 status, by helping us create the Almanor Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund. This sub-fund will provide emergency relief and support through grants to nonprofits and agencies primarily supporting Plumas County residents impacted by wildfires. The link for donations will be up in the next few days here.

Bayou By The Lake
Due to the Dixie Fire, the Bayou By The Lake Crawdad Boil event has been postponed to next year. Those who had purchased tickets will be receiving a refund in the mail. If you have any questions, please call the Foundation at (530) 268-5422.

Battle of the Brews
In postponing the Bayou event, the Foundation directors will focus their upcoming efforts on their second fundraising event, Battle of the Brews, to take place at Chester Park on October 2nd. The event will host breweries from around the area and beyond battling for the title: King of the Mountain. The event will feature beer tasting, music, food and drink for purchase and Oktoberfest games. Tickets will go on sale soon. Stay tuned, this will be a wonderful time for all to come together after the Dixie Fire to demonstrate the resiliency of the can-do community. 

Dixie Fire Information


Text Alerts from Cal Fire Incidents
Sign up for text alerts from Cal Fire incidents in our area here

CodeRed Emergency Alert System
Please click here to register for CodeRed alerts.

Current Evacuation Map
Please click here for the most current evacuation map


DIXIE FIRE INFORMATION
Information line: (530) 538-7826
Media line: (530) 588-0845
Incident website: Click here

Update as of 7/27/2021 from Cal Fire

Dixie Fire West Zone: Main fire activity will continue in the drainages to the North and West sides of the fire as unburned interior fuels are consumed. Spotting remains the greatest threat. Crews are continuing to aggressively attack the fire and reinforce containment lines. Dozers and heavy equipment continue to construct contingency lines. Southwest winds are predicted to be 10-15 mph with gusts up to 20-25 mph along the ridges. Winds will be expected to be 15-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph In the Feather River Canyon and adjacent valleys. Damage assessments are ongoing with limited access to some areas due to fire activity.

Dixie Fire East Zone: Yesterday firefighters in the East Zone took advantage of weather conditions to establish both direct and indirect Fireline in several locations. A thick blanket of smoke shaded the vegetation from direct sunlight and helped decrease temperatures. A significant decrease in fire activity was the result. Tactical firing operations were initiated along Mount Hough Road and between Round Valley Reservoir and Moccasin. The Mt. Hough Road line once completed will decrease the threat to Quincy and Chandler. The line near Round Valley Reservoir is a segment of a larger line planned across the northeast portion of the fire to protect communities in the Highway 89 corridor. Work on these sections will continue today. Firefighters will also be working northeast of Bucks Lake where a 12 acre spot fire developed yesterday after smoke in that area cleared and the fire became more active. The smoke over much of the East Zone is expected to clear today resulting in a return of more aggressive fire behavior.

For more information on the Dixie Fire go to the following links:

CAL FIRE https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents

USFS Information https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7690/ 

For Evacuation Orders, Warnings and Road Closures go to:

Per the Butte County Sheriff's Office

Per the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office

Per the Plumas County Sheriff's Office

For updated road closures please go to Caltrans information at Division of Traffic Operations - Road Information - California Highway Information

Evacuation Shelter Information:

A Shelter is open at the Springs of Hope Church in Quincy at 59 Bell Lane in Quincy.

A Shelter is open at Memorial Hall at 180 Gay St in Chester.

A Shelter is open at 19725 Ridge Rd, Red Bluff. 

A Shelter is open at Lassen Community College 478-200 CA-139, Susanville.

Animal Evacuations Centers:

Plumas County

  • Assistance for animals (including large animals/ livestock), call (530) 283-3673 or (530) 283-6300 or (530) 527-3439
  • Large and small animals can be taken to 1830 Walnut St, Red Bluff.

Butte County:

  • Butte County animal sheltering at 2279 Del Oro and Mono Ste E, Oroville, CA Animal Shelter intake hours are 8am-8pm. (530) 895-0000

National Forest Closures

Please visit the LNF Website: www.fs.usda.gov/lassen 

Weather, Lake Almanor and Fishing Report

John Crotty

7/25/2021 Update
The Dixie Fire is currently wreaking havoc on Plumas and Butte Counties. As it approaches 200,000 acres burned, most of the Lake Almanor Basin is under mandatory evacuation orders or warning. Homes and livelihoods are being threatened along the Feather River Canyon, in Quincy, Indian Valley, Crescent Mills, Greenville, Canyon Dam, and Prattville and beyond as more than 4,000 heroes are risking their lives to protect ours.

What was important last week, month or year seem insignificant today. We have no control over the fate of our homes, businesses and personal belongings, the Dixie Fire for most of us will be permanently etched in our memories. It has changed our lives, I can only pray it doesn’t define who we are, dictate our future or diminish our love for the lives we have chosen.

On a personal note Deb and I are in awe of the generosity, kindness and offers of assistance that we have received over the past week. As of today our small lodge has survived the fire as have our neighbor’s homes and properties. We have come to peace with whatever the outcome and thankful for our safety.

To all of our AFA friends, supporters and volunteers, please know how much we appreciate you. I look forward to writing a fishing report, feeding our pen fish, fishing with youth & Veterans and protecting and enhancing our World Class Fishery. AFA will play a role in the healing and rebuilding of Lake Almanor.

Lassen Volcanic Implements Temporary Closures and Restrictions


Mineral, CA – Lassen Volcanic National Park will implement temporary closures in response to the nearby Dixie Fire. Beginning noon July 24, Warner Valley and Juniper Lake areas will be closed to all access and the entire park will be closed to backcountry camping.

“The Dixie Fire is burning approximately 18 miles southeast of Lassen Volcanic National Park,” said Superintendent Jim Richardson. “The fire has potential to reach the southern boundary of the park, which could impair safe exit from Warner Valley, Juniper Lake, and backcountry areas.”

The temporary closures are intended to improve the safety of visitors and emergency responders. Warner Valley and Juniper Lake areas have only a single point of entry and exit and could be impacted by fire activity in the nearby Chester Area. The Dixie Fire has further reduced the limited communication network in the region, which is crucial to notifying backcountry campers who would otherwise be spread throughout the park.

A temporary fire restriction is in effect for Butte Lake Campground as of July 23. The restriction is in response to extreme drought conditions contributing to severe wildfire risk and the inundation of our national wildfire response system. The fire restriction prohibits any open flame including campfires and charcoal grills. Ignition sources that can be turned off and do not produce ash are permitted. This is generally limited to devices that address basic camper needs of cooking and lighting only. Campers at park campgrounds without restrictions are asked to be especially cautious when using designated campfire pits or any open flame. Approximately 95% of all wildfires in California are caused by human activity.
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed between Highway 70 and 36, south of the park. PCT through hikers are encouraged to take an alternative route to Highway 44 near Old Station to continue their journey.

Park air quality and some operations are currently impacted by the nearby Dixie Fire. Air quality can change hour to hour. Visitors can check real-time air quality measurements at stations in and around the park on the AirNow Fire and Smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Park operations including gift stores and food service may experience reduced hours or temporary closures as staff are impacted by the Dixie Fire. Drakesbad Guest Ranch in Warner Valley is currently closed. Current conditions including air quality, fire restrictions, temporary closures, and more can be viewed at go.nps.gov/lavo/conditions.
www.nps.gov
Town Chatter - July 2021, Volume 4