- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Wildland fire burning along Highway 20 near Clearlake Oaks
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters are at the scene of a wildland fire burning along Highway 20 just east of Clearlake Oaks, with the incident prompting evacuations in the area.
The fire was first dispatched just before 4 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 20 at Catholic Church Road.
The first unit on scene reported that the fire was burning on both sides of the road and running at a high rate of speed up the hill into timber. Wind is reported to be hitting the fire.
Incident command called for the evacuation of Morine Ranch Road just before 4:15 p.m.
Minutes later, incident command asked for Highway 20 to be closed at Sulphur Bank Road and at the Highway 53 intersection.
Dozers are being brought in off of Morine Ranch Road and through the nearby Clearlake Lava quarry, with a task force also responding.
Cal Fire, Lake County Fire and Northshore Fire are being joined by units from the LNU Lightning Complex, with Cal Fire Copter 901 and air attack also on scene, based on radio resources.
Air attack reported that it cannot see long-range spotting on the fire.
Just before 4:30 p.m., incident command asked for law enforcement to be expedited, as they need to evacuate the Highway 20 corridor from Clearlake Lave down to Sulphur Bank Road. A lot of vehicle traffic is building up in that area.
Incident command estimated the fire to be between 10 and 15 acres just after 4:30 p.m.
Radio traffic indicated the helicopter is conducting water drops on the fire.
Just before 6:15 p.m., the sheriff's office reported evacuations were lifted for Morine Ranch Road.
As of 7:10 p.m., the California Highway Patrol said Highway 20 was open to one-way traffic between Sulphur Bank Road and Highway 53.
Additional information will be published as it becomes available.
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