Elephant fire doubles in size but orders to flee downgraded as crews battle flames

Darrell Smith, The Sacramento Bee on Jul 14, 2026

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Elephant fire burning in Sierra, Lassen and Plumas counties has doubled in size to more than 12,000 acres as firefighters continue to battle the growing blaze.

The wildfire burning north and east of Loyalton and Highway 49 grew from 6,400 acres Monday to 12,303 acres by early Tuesday as it marched through high-country terrain. More than 500 firefighters are battling the blaze on the ground and above the flames in what U.S. Forest Service fire planners described as a “full suppression strategy.”

No injuries or structure damage have been reported.

Aircraft dropped fire retardant and water on hot spots to slow the fire’s spread and help crews on the ground. The fire, which started Saturday afternoon, was 5% contained as firefighters contended with gusty, erratic winds, dry fuels and difficult terrain.

But Plumas County Sheriff’s Office lifted evacuation orders Tuesday for Chilcoot-area residents near the Plumas-Sierra county line, the office announced shortly after 9 a.m. Evacuation zones PLU-104-A and PLU-114, covering areas south of Chilcoot to the Sierra County line and east of Vinton to the Lassen County line, were returned to normal status.

Evacuation warnings, however, remain in place, Cal Fire officials said.

Firefighters focused Monday evening on protecting the community of Chilcoot, areas along Scott Road near the Sierra-Plumas county line and Highway 395 near Hallelujah Junction as the fire advanced north.

Local utility Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative said fire activity could affect its power lines and potentially force outages until utility crews could safely restore service, the Sierra Daily News in Susanville reported.

Crews got a break overnight as steady rain and overcast skies helped firefighting efforts, U.S. Forest Service officials said in an 8 a.m. update.

“Fire crews are using this weather window to continue securing the fireline while working towards full containment,” the forest service said in the update.

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