LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With the Jerusalem fire making a small overnight gain in acreage and firefighters pushing up the containment, Cal Fire announced on Saturday afternoon that it was lifting mandatory evacuations in the fire area.
Cal Fire said Saturday that the Jerusalem fire, burning since Aug. 9 in the Jerusalem Valley area northeast of Middletown, had burned approximately 25,146 acres overnight – growing by just 92 acres – with containment at 78 percent.
It has threatened 50 structures, with damage estimates to date including four destroyed homes and 13 outbuildings, according to Cal Fire.
To the north, the Rocky fire was fully contained on Friday at 69,438 acres, as Lake County News has reported.
But with firefighters continuing to gain on the Jerusalem fire, officials reported that they were allowing residents to return home after many of them were displaced for much of the past week.
Beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, Cal Fire and the Lake County Sheriff's Office said evacuations and road closures were lifted including:
– Jerusalem Valley Road starting at Spruce Grove Road (east);
– Morgan Valley Road from Reiff Road southeast to Napa County line;
– Reiff Road from Morgan Valley east to Yolo County line;
– Berryessa Knoxville Road from Lake Berryessa north ;
– Road 40 at Highway 16 to the west.
“It is our responsibility to make the area safe,” officials said in the joint repopulation statement.
County roads and utility companies are working to make the area safe as well, and Cal Fire said it is doing doing everything it can to accommodate civilians and assist them back into their homes as soon possible.
Residents returning to their homes are told to stay clear of any electrical wires they see on the ground and to call Pacific Gas and Electric Co. immediately. Trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if still smoking, should be considered hazardous.
Officials urge people to drive slowly when returning to the evacuated areas as emergency personnel are in the area.
When reentering property and evaluating damage, be aware that hazardous conditions may exist, particularly if a residence or out-building has burned, official said. Hazards may include asbestos, heavy metals, byproducts or plastic combustion and various other chemicals.
Various agencies will also be involved with the Jerusalem Fire recovery effort and may provide additional assistance to property owners. Further details are forthcoming, officials said.
Residents with destroyed or damaged structures from the fires are asked to please call the Fire Help Line at 800-325-9604 and give information for the completion of a damage assessment.
The Fire Help Line is staffed 24/7 thanks to a partnership with the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, and also provides referrals for services and information about current fire status.
A virtual recovery assistance center is available online at www.LakeCountyLAC.com .
If you do not have Internet access, you may access the Web site from any computer at the Lake County Libraries for free.
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.
Jerusalem fire: Officials lift mandatory evacuations
- Elizabeth Larson
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