LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Firefighters finished the work of fully containing a wildland fire south of Lower Lake on Saturday evening.
The 29 Fire, which started Thursday afternoon off of Highway 29 near Murphy Springs Road, was fully contained at 300 acres, according to Cal Fire.
The fire’s cause remains under investigation, officials said.
Within the first day the fire had reached its full size, resulting in evacuation orders and a highway closure, and destroying a residence, seven outbuildings, 10 acres of vineyard, 12 pieces of equipment and 11 vehicles, Cal Fire said.
Firefighters were able to protect dozens more homes in the Murphy Springs and Twin Lakes areas.
A Red Cross shelter had been set up at Lower Lake High School as officials ordered mandatory evacuations for the Murphy Springs area and voluntary evacuations for the Twin Lakes Subdivision.
Twin Lakes residents’ voluntary evacuation order was lifted Thursday night and the Murphy Springs residents had their mandatory order lifted Friday afternoon, as Lake County News has reported.
All of the Pacific Gas and Electric customers who had lost power because of the fire – originally estimated at about 30 – have had their service restored, officials said.
Mop up and fire suppression damage repairs are continuing in the fire area, where smoke may still be visible for several days, Cal Fire reported.
Cal Fire, which had incident command on the 29 Fire, said it was preparing to begin releasing resources from the scene.
Still assigned on Saturday night are 363 personnel, 34 fire engines and 16 fire crews, Cal Fire said.
Drivers are asked to use caution when driving in the fire’s vicinity due to firefighting personnel and equipment continuing to work on mop up.
Cooperating agencies include Cal Fire, Lake County Fire Protection, Kelseyville Fire, Lakeport Fire, Northshore Fire, South Lake County Fire, Williams Fire Department, US Forest Service, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, American Red Cross, Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection, Lake County Animal Care and Control, the California Highway Patrol, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Caltrans, Lake County Public Health Department, Lake County Road Department and PG&E.
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