Kincade fire continues growth in rugged terrain; evacuation warning issued for Cobb area
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Kincade fire on Friday continued to challenge firefighters as it created spot fires and burned through rugged terrain into Lake County, prompting a Friday night evacuation warning for Cobb area residents.
Cal Fire said Friday night that the Kincade fire, which began Wednesday night in The Geysers geothermal steamfield, has burned 23,700 acres. It remains at 5 percent containment. Full containment on the fire is expected on Oct. 31.
The number of structures destroyed in Sonoma County remained at 49, with 600 more threatened.
Throughout the day, the main fire continued to throw smaller spot fires ahead of it – some as far as two miles – and was even spotting over power lines in the area, according to radio traffic.
Scanner reports indicated that it was moving toward the Lake-Sonoma County line in the area of Sawmill Flat Road.
On Friday night, Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said the fire had crossed into Lake County.
Based on evaluations and assessment of fire behavior and weather activity, Martin’s office issued an evacuation warning at 8:15 p.m. for residents of Cobb Mountain and some surrounding communities, including Adams Springs, Hobergs, Cobb, Whispering Pines, Gifford Springs, Anderson Springs and those residents living on Ford Flat Road and Socrates Mine Road.
The sheriff’s office said an evacuation warning is not a mandatory evacuation, simply a warning and an opportunity for residents to prepare.
Martin told Lake County News shortly before 9 p.m. that, as the crow flies, the fire is about two miles from any south county neighborhoods.
“Out of an abundance of caution we issued the evacuation warning,” Martin said, explaining that the goal was to give people time to get ready.
In Sonoma County, Sheriff Mark Essick reported Friday night that evacuation orders are remaining in place, which he said he understands is causing frustration.
As an example, Essick said aggressive individuals have been approaching checkpoints into the evacuation area where California Highway Patrol and sheriff’s deputies are staged.
He said 50 deputies are patrolling in Geyserville and to the east of the town to offer help with evacuations, direction and support. So far, there are no reports of looting.
Essick said his agency also hasn’t received missing person’s reports or reports of fire-related fatalities.
With the effort to contain the fire under way, and with what Essick and other officials are calling a “historic” wind event expected this weekend, he explained what people can do to help authorities.
“We’d like you to stay home,” he said.
Unless people are evacuated, Essick asked them to stay off the road and highways, remain vigilant, stay informed and keep in contact with neighbors, especially the elderly and the infirm.
Officials report incident on fire lines; more winds in the forecast
Just before 4 p.m., there was an incident in the area of Pine Flat Road that resulted in a request for a strike team of five engines and three ambulances to care for several individuals – including at least one firefighter plus two to three civilians. All were reported to be conscious and alert and were being transported out of the fire area by line medics.
At the Friday night briefing, Cal Fire officials reported that they didn’t have specifics but would release more information as soon as they had it.
Aircraft have continued to be critical in the firefight. On Friday they worked throughout the day, with all fixed and rotary wing aircraft reported to be off the fire for the night at 6:30 p.m.
On Friday night, firefighters began conducting firing operations to slow the fire’s spread.
Quiet overnight weather conditions are expected, with single digit winds from the northwest, low humidity and temperatures dropping into the mid 50s.
Fire officials are continuing to monitor conditions related to a weather event expected to arrive on Saturday night, bringing with it heavy winds.
On Friday, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the region – including Lake County – that will be in effect from Saturday through Monday due to fire weather conditions. At the same time, Pacific Gas and Electric is considering another large public safety power shutoff across more than 30 counties, including Lake and Sonoma.
Smoke from the fire has continued to push into Lake County’s air basin.
On Friday, Lake County Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart said the Kincade fire was responsible for smoke and haze in Cobb and Middletown, and it was expected to reach Hidden Valley Lake unless there was a change in prevailing winds. All other areas of Lake County expected to have periods of “moderate” to “unhealthy” air quality conditions depending on the wind.
Gearhart said these conditions are expected to impact Lake County through Saturday and intermittently until the fires are out.
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.