Firefighters battling blaze in Spring Valley that triggers evacuations
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
THIS STORY IS BEING UPDATED ON A ROLLING BASIS.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Firefighters from around Lake County and beyond are responding to a wildland fire in the Spring Valley Lakes subdivision east of Clearlake Oaks that has resulted in a call for mandatory evacuations in all of Spring Valley.
The Pawnee fire was first reported shortly before 5:30 p.m. in the 2500 block of Pawnee Trail near New Long Valley Road in Spring Valley. However, firefighters later put the fire’s location elsewhere, accessing it from Spring Valley and Wolf Creek roads, and off of Quail Trail, according to radio reports.
Cal Fire and Northshore Fire were among the first units to respond, with additional fire agencies from around Lake County – and Cal Fire units from Mendocino County – being requested to send equipment and firefighters.
The Cal Fire battalion chief at scene reported that the fire is “well-established” on the top of a ridge, with issues accessing it. Some firefighters were attempting to access it from the Double Eagle subdivision nearby.
As of 5:45 p.m. three copters, five dozers, four water tenders and numerous engines – as many as 20, based on radio reports – were responding.
Initial size estimates on the fire had been as high as 100 acres, which was dialed back to less than 50 acres just before 6 p.m., according to reports from the scene.
At about 6 p.m. incident command requested that Spring Valley Road at Highway 20 be closed to incoming traffic.
Although as of 6 p.m. it was reported that there was no immediate structure threat, incident command asked for the sheriff’s office to respond to help with evacuations.
At the same time, Cal Fire put the fire at 75 acres in size.
Just before 6:30 p.m., incident command followed up by calling for mandatory evacuations off of Quail Trail and advisory evacuations in the area of Quail Trail at Chalk Mountain Road. Minutes later, evacuations were called for all of Wolf Creek Road and then for Chalk Mountain Road.
Then, at 6:46 p.m., a call was put out to evacuate all of Spring Valley.
Radio traffic indicated evacuees are being directed to the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge.
More engines were staging for a short time at the Spring Valley fire house while dozers worked to gain access. Resources were then directed through to the scene.
Cal Fire air attack reported that the fire had reached about 400 acres by 9 p.m., with the fire continuing on a moderate rate of spread, pushed by north winds that are expected to continue through the night and into Sunday morning.
Additional updates based on radio reports and Nixle alerts are being posted below.
INCIDENT UPDATES
6:05 p.m.: Cal Fire puts the fire’s size at 75 acres with no containment.
7:09 p.m.: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued the following Nixle alert: “This is a Mandatory Evacuation Notice for ALL of Spring Valley. A temporary staging area for evacuees has been set up at the Moose Lodge, Hwy 20 & 53. Please leave immediately and watch for emergency vehicles.”
7:13 p.m.: Fire has progressed to the south beyond Salt Lick Canyon.
7:46 p.m.: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued the following Nixle alert: “A shelter is in the process of being established for evacuees from Spring Valley at Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake Street. Drive carefully and watch for emergency vehicles.”
7:51 p.m.: Incident command reports that 25 homes are immediately threatened by the fire.
7:57 p.m.: Air Attack 110 assuming Pawnee air attack.
8:51 p.m.: Requesting two additional dozers, agency or private, within an hour's response time of the incident.
8:57 p.m.: Fire is cresting a ridge but is not reported to be an immediate threat to Doe Trail. Dozers are working on the fire’s western side.
9:03 p.m.: Pawnee air attack reports the fire is at 400 acres, with a moderate rate of spread, making a run in chaparral and brush. It’s being pushed by a north wind.
9:12 p.m.: Cal Fire Dispatch’s report on conditions said gusty north winds are expected to continue through the night with gusts of up to 25 miles per hour, very dry conditions, north wind gusts of up to 22 miles per hour Sunday morning.
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