PLIOCENE Fire, California
The PLIOCENE Fire is an active wildfire burning in California, United States. It has burned approximately less than 1 acre; agencies listed it as Uncontained.
Activity & map
Timeline, Map & Situation
Timeline
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Status: Uncontained
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Fire discovery / ignition reported
Map
39.5199, -120.8684
Current Situation
The PLIOCENE Fire is an active wildfire burning in California, United States. It has burned approximately less than 1 acre; agencies listed it as Uncontained.
Data for this incident was last refreshed 3 minutes ago.
Settlements in the area include Downieville (5.6 km NE), Nevada City (31.4 km SW), Challenge-Brownsville (34.5 km W), Grass Valley (37.3 km SW).
No dense smoke plume is currently mapped at this location. There are 8 other active fires within about 57 km.
Growth Trend
Growth history is still collecting. Points are saved when agency size or status changes.
Environment
Current Conditions
Current Conditions
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Smoke
Layer analysis: Regional PM2.5 forecast haze is active on the live map; point density at this fire is not classified from plume polygons.
Open live smoke layer →Context
Nearby & Resources
Nearby Fires
View on MapRoad Closures
No full road closures reported within about 25 mi right now.
Nearby Communities
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Downieville
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Nevada City
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Challenge-Brownsville
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Grass Valley
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Lake Wildwood
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Alta Sierra
Largest Fires in California
Community
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Insight
Why This Fire Matters
- One of the 10 largest active fires in California (currently ranked #9 among tracked incidents in this area).
- Located within 16 mi of nearby communities (closest: Downieville at 3.5 mi).
- Fire has remained active for 1 day.
Technical Incident Details
| Fire Name | PLIOCENE |
|---|---|
| Agency Fire ID | 2026-CATNF-001331 |
| Country | United States |
| Province / State | California |
| Location | Sierra |
| Latitude | 39.51987 |
| Longitude | -120.86838 |
| Last Updated | Jul 30, 2026, 6:50 PM PDT |
| Current Status | Uncontained |
| Tracking | Actively tracked |
| Acres Burned | less than 1 acre |
| Containment % | — |
| Cause | Undetermined |
| Nearby towns | Downieville (3.5 mi NE), Nevada City (20 mi SW), Challenge-Brownsville (21 mi W), Grass Valley (23 mi SW), Lake Wildwood (27 mi SW), Alta Sierra (28 mi S) |
| Discovery Date | Jul 29, 2026, 3:36 PM PDT |
| Fire Type | OUT |
| Data Source | nifc-wfigs |
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the current size of this fire?
The PLIOCENE Fire is currently reported at approximately less than 1 acre.
Where is this fire located?
The PLIOCENE Fire is located in California, United States at approximately 39.5199, -120.8684. Nearby towns include Downieville (5.6 km NE), Nevada City (31.4 km SW), Challenge-Brownsville (34.5 km W), Grass Valley (37.3 km SW).
Is this fire contained?
Agencies classify this fire as Uncontained. A numeric containment percentage is not available in the current feed.
When was it discovered?
Discovery (or first listed date) is recorded as 2026-07-29.
Is smoke affecting nearby communities?
No smoke plume is currently mapped near this fire in the smoke analysis layer.
What towns are near this fire?
Nearby settlements include Downieville (3.5 mi NE), Nevada City (20 mi SW), Challenge-Brownsville (21 mi W), Grass Valley (23 mi SW), Lake Wildwood (27 mi SW), Alta Sierra (28 mi S).
How many nearby fires are active?
There are 8 other active wildfires nearby.
What are current weather conditions?
Weather observations are unavailable for this location right now.
Is this fire still actively tracked?
This fire is actively tracked (last update 3 minutes ago).