This story has been updated regarding the Ranch fire’s size.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The approach of a fire in Mendocino County has resulted in an evacuation advisory for portions of Lake County close to the incident.The Ranch fire began at around noon along Highway 20 near Potter Valley, northwest of Blue Lakes and eight miles northeast of Ukiah, as Lake County News has reported.
The growth of the fire resulted in a Friday evening advisory evacuation notice from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Cal Fire said just before 7:30 p.m. that the Ranch fire had grown to 1,000 acres, with zero containment and multiple structures threatened.
So far, another Mendocino County fire, the River fire near Hopland, has not resulted in any Lake County evacuation advisory, although some residents of Mendocino County near the fire have been ordered to leave. That fire is reported to be about 1,200 acres, based on radio traffic.
Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said the evacuation advisory for the Ranch fire covers Witter Springs, Blue Lakes, Bachelor Valley and north Scotts Valley Road from the 7000 block to Highway 20.
Martin said his agency was working to identify shelter locations for evacuations.
The sheriff’s advisory evacuation notice, which came out just before 7 p.m. Friday, encouraged those who are able to evacuate to consider doing so now.
“We are inviting everyone to take preparations in the likely event a mandatory evacuation order is issued,” the notice said.
“Preparations should include gathering all medications, important documents, making plans for pets, and notifying family members where you may be going. During a mandatory evacuation, it will be extremely hectic and traffic conditions will be very congested. By evacuating early, you do your part in keeping yourself, your neighbors, and our first responders safe,” the sheriff’s office reported.
Authorities said that, in the event of a mandatory evacuation, emergency shelters will be designated and identified.
Lake County Animal Care and Control’s Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection volunteer group is on standby to assist if needed in evacuation animals of all sizes.
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