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Firefighters continue to raise containment on Pawnee fire
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Pawnee fire experienced more growth on Tuesday, but at the same time firefighters raised containment on the blaze.
In its third day, the Pawnee fire – which began in the Spring Valley Lakes subdivision Saturday afternoon – rose to an estimated 13,000 acres, with containment up to 17 percent.
Mendocino National Forest spokeswoman Punky Moore said the fire had burned approximately 658 acres of forest land on the Upper Lake Ranger District as of Tuesday night.
The estimate of burned structures remained at 22, which officials said breaks down to 12 residences and 10 outbuildings. Another four structures have been damaged.
A substantial increase in resources on the incident occurred on Tuesday, with the number of firefighting personnel nearly doubling to 2,700.
In addition, there are 235 engines, 25 water tenders, 15 helicopters, 58 hand crews and 69 dozers.
There is so far no estimated time of full containment, and the cause remains under investigation, Cal Fire said.
Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for 1,500 residents and 600 homes in both the Spring Valley Lakes and Double Eagle Ranch subdivisions, officials said.
An evacuation shelter remained open at Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake St.
The Red Cross, which is operating the shelter, has had about 26 overnight stays and served more than 50 meals, according to spokeswoman Kathryn Hecht.
“Most importantly, the Red Cross is on location, staffed, stocked and ready to serve,” she said. “Additional cots, blankets and emergency relief supplies are being mobilized now to support relief efforts in case there are additional needs.”
Hecht said the Red Cross is also working closely with government and community partners to coordinate relief efforts. Some of the partners we are working with include The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and Lake County Animal Care and Control.
More evacuees are reported to be sheltering at the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge.
The Colusa County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday issued an advisory warning for east of Walker Ridge area, Wilbur Springs area, Bear Valley and Brim Road.
Road closures remaining in effect are as follows:
Lake County
• New Long Valley Road at Highway 20.
• Old Long Valley Road at Highway 20.
• Walker Ridge at Highway 20.
• Mule Skinner Road at Highway 20.
Colusa County
• Bear Valley Road is closed at Highway 20.
• Bear Valley Road is closed at Brim Road.
• Leesville Lodge Road is closed at Brim Road.
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.