HAVE A GREAT
DAY!
MODOC FOOTBALL FACES THE WEED COUGARS AT HOMECOMING The Modoc County
RECORD
Vol. 134, 133, No. 24 29
Alturas, California
September 3, 2026 October 9, 2025
Serving Modoc Since 1892 20 24 Pages
Alturas Balloon Festival Discontinued After Alturas Elementary Students Boost Fire Decades, Newwith Fall Event Planned Safety Skills CAL FIRE The Alturas Chamber of Commerce has announced the end of its annual Balloon Fest, concluding a September tradition that drew residents and visitors for decades. Chamber officials cited the retirement of balloon pilots and rising travel and flight expenses as primary reasons for the discontinuation. These factors have made it increasingly difficult to attract pilots to the area, with many choosing to attend larger events instead. “This was not an easy Cal Fire decision forLassen-Modoc us,” the chamber Unit-Facebook said in a statement. have Fire Prevention Trailer. Unit, shows the strong The CAL FIRE“We Lassen loved hosting the Balloon gained essential commitment to public safety Modoc Unit, in collaboration They Festival have with the and Modoc Firedeeply Safe knowledge on battery safety, education, ensuring younger enjoyed sharing event evacuation strategies, and residents understand Council and thisAlturas with the community.” fire prevention Elementary School, recently overall fire preparedness, in critical A anew will addition to learning about measures. By teaching these led vitalFall FireFestival Prevention replace program the event, scheduled Week for local the dangers of playing crucial lessons at an early for the weekend in with fire equipment and age, the program helps build students. same Focusing on this September in understanding firefighter safer communities through year’s theme,beginning “Charge into 2027. increased awareness and Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion fitness and gear. The chamber alsoHome,” plans Residents This community-focused preparedness. Batteries in Your to host “Movie Night handsin the initiative, shared by the are encouraged to follow the students received Park”training once a month on insideduring the CAL FIRE Lassen Modoc CAL FIRE Lassen Modoc the summer, starting in June. The series will conclude with a final screening at the Fall Festival in September. Image by Amanda Nagy- The 2025 Balloon Fest
Unit on social media for ongoing safety tips and community updates. Now a beloved annual event, the Fire Prevention Week program is something that firefighters, staff,
and students alike look forward to each year— an opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate the shared responsibility of keeping their community safe.
Veterans Day guide to honor S-1 Vyalocal Fire service Update: Evacuations Lifted, members Containment Hits 64% Veterans Day is a time for reflection, gratitude and Evacuation orders have community. This November, been lifted near the S-1 Vya Modoc Record is preparing Fire as containment climbed a special guide dedicated to 64%, more than a week to honoring the men and after blaze in womenthe who haveerupted served in remote northern Washoe the nation’s armed forces. County. The guide will feature The fire, burning about profiles of local veterans, three miles north of Vya, held community events, support at 9,692 acres withways no growth resources and for in the past to day, according to residents get involved. a Sept. 1 daily update from It will be printed and the incident management distributed throughout team on counties. InciWeb. Modoc posted and Lassen Washoe officials Stories County will highlight lifted evacuation orders and for resilience, sacrifice
leadership, while event listings provide the fire area.will information on parades, California Interagency ceremonies and other Incident Management Team gatherings. Readers will also 2, led by Incident Commander find details on organizations Matt Conklin, took command offering assistance with of the fire at 6 p.m. Aug.and 27. health care, education The fire is being managed employment, as well as under the opportunities Bureau of Land volunteer and Management’s donation drives. Northern California District. Community members are The fire at invited to was help reported shape the 8:59 p.m. Aug. 24. High guide. If you or someone winds know and dryhas fuelsserved, drove you rapid growth the early Modoc Media inencourages days, to withsubmit the blazea swelling you photo, by nearly acres on Aug. name and4,000 years of service.
Submissions can be emailed to 26.info@modocmedia.com. Containment has climbed Veterans Dayfrom is not steadily since, 25%only on about honoring the past Aug. 29 to 64% on Sept. 1. is now —Fire it’s behavior about recognizing minimal, with smoldering the ongoing contributions and creeping in heavier of veterans in fuels our and isolated flare-ups, the neighborhoods, workplaces update said. Grass fuels have and families. largely burned out, though The guide aims to dust devils carrying embers provide both inspiration across containment lines and remainpractical a concern. resources, ensuring local stories of The fire has burned across courage and commitment both private and BLM land, are and affectingremembered State Highway 34, grazing allotments and celebrated.
sage-grouse habitat. The Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area, East Fork High Rock Canyon Wilderness, the Ruby pipeline and Western Area Power Administration transmission lines east of the fire remain threatened. A BLM emergency public lands closure remains in effect near Cedarville and Fort Bidwell. Fee Reservoir Campground is closed, and road closures remain at the intersections of County Road Continue on page 2