- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Elk fire continues to grow; evacuations remain in effect
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Elk fire near Upper Lake grew by hundreds more acres on Wednesday night, officials reported.
The fire was first reported just before 3 p.m. on Elk Mountain Road near Upper Lake.
By Wednesday night, the fire had grown to 450 acres, with containment at 20 percent, according to Cal Fire, which shares unified command on the incident with the United States Forest Service.
Cal Fire said firefighters are continuing to aggressively battle the blaze.
Resources assigned on Wednesday night include 202 firefighters, two overhead/command personnel, 16 fire engines, six fire crews, six bulldozers and three water tenders, Cal Fire said.
On Wednesday afternoon the Lake County Sheriff's Office and Cal Fire ordered mandatory evacuations for all residents on White Rock Canyon Road, with that order remaining in effect on Wednesday night, the sheriff's office said.
The sheriff's office said people who live near White Rock Canyon Road also remain under an advisory evacuation order and should be prepared to evacuate.
Residents are reminded to gather their medications, important papers and pets due to the possibility of evacuating the area for an unknown length of time.
The fire is burning in an easterly direction away from residences, the sheriff's office reported.
County officials set up an evacuation staging area at Upper Lake County Park at 575 E. Highway 20, but due to lack of usage by the evacuees and on the advice of the sheriff's office, the Lake County Department of Social Services closed the staging area.
If anyone who has been evacuated needs shelter during the night, they are advised to call the Red Cross at 1-866-272-2237 and advise that they are under mandatory evacuation from the Elk Fire.
Elk Mountain Road at Rancheria Road remains closed on Wednesday night to everyone except residents, the sheriff's office said.
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