LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A wildland fire burning between Lower Lake and Middletown continued to grow on Sunday night.
The Jerusalem fire was first dispatched just after 3:30 p.m. Sunday off Jerusalem Road, seven miles northeast of Middletown, according to Cal Fire.
As of 9 p.m., Cal Fire reported that the fire had burned 3,000 acres, with no containment.
Cal Fire confirmed to Lake County News that the fire was burning south of the perimeter of the Rocky fire, east of Lower Lake.
The most recent Cal Fire report said the fire is moving east in steep terrain.
The fire prompted authorities to issue mandatory evacuations for the Jerusalem Valley area east of Spruce Grove.
Cal Fire said Jerusalem Valley Road is closed to all traffic at Spruce Grove Road, with fire personnel and emergency vehicles working in the area.
The Lake County Office of Emergency Services reported that a Red Cross evacuation center set up at Middletown High School for the Rocky fire was remaining open for the Jerusalem fire evacuees.
In addition, officials set up a temporary shelter for pets and other animals at 6885 Old Highway 53 in Clearlake, the site of the former water park.
Air and ground resources – tankers, planes, copters, dozers and water tenders – have been pulled from the nearby Rocky fire throughout the afternoon and evening and sent into the Jerusalem fire area, including Jerusalem Valley.
Radio reports indicated that additional air attack and tankers will return to the Jerusalem fire site in the morning, as they cannot continue to fly at night.
Shortly before 9 p.m. officials at the scene reported that the fire was burning into the Jericho Canyon area, and had slowed down considerably, with the anticipation that firefighters can make good progress on it overnight.
Radio reports also indicated it was headed toward the Rocky fire's southern perimeter.
Cal Fire said the cause of the Jerusalem fire is under investigation.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.