Weather favorable in fight against California’s large fires
This story is no longer being updated. For the latest wildfire updates, click here.
Aided by weather and reinforcements, firefighters were cautiously optimistic Aug. 25 about their progress to pen in California wildfires that have killed at least seven people and burned more than 1,200 homes and other buildings.
A warning about dry lightning and strong winds that could spark more fires was lifted for the Bay Area on Aug. 24 , a huge relief to commanders battling three enormous blazes in the South Bay and in wine country.
The LNU Lightning Complex, which is the third-largest wildfire in state history, had containment lines around 25 percent of it that serve to prevent fires from burning more land.
Officials said progress was also made against a fire in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties with the help of rain Aug. 23 and calmer weather Aug. 24.
“The past couple days we’ve seen significant progress in our firefight on this incident,” said Mark Brunton, operations chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which is known as Cal Fire. “The weather’s really cooperating with us.”
In addition to better weather, fire crews along with bulldozers and other equipment were arriving from other states.
But officials warned the danger was far from over and admonished residents to stay out of evacuated areas. Six people who returned to a restricted area south of San Francisco to check on their properties were surprised by fire and had to be rescued, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said.
Looters have been warned they’ll be arrested, and some people have been taken into custody, including a man found with $5,000 in his car, authorities said. Detectives were also investigating seven reports of missing people.
Evacuees tempted to return to check on their homes should think again, fire officials said.
“It is highly dangerous in there still,” Jonathan Cox, a Cal Fire deputy chief, of the blaze north of Santa Cruz. “We have bridges that have failed, old wooden bridges that have failed that may not appear failed to people that they may drive on. It is not safe,” he said.
An estimated 170,000 people are under evacuation orders and tens of thousands of homes remain under threat from fires around the state.
As of Aug. 25 , about 650 wildfires have burned 1.25 million acres up and down the state since Aug. 15, destroying more than 1,400 structures and pumping out unhealthy smoke and ash across Northern and Central California, including the capital region. At nearly 2,000 square miles, that’s more than the area of California’s 10 most-populous cities — Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield and Anaheim — combined.
Cal Fire said 2,700 more wildfires have burned this year than 2019. Many of the fires this year have been small and remote.
This story is no longer being updated. For the latest wildfire updates, click here.
This story is no longer being updated. For the latest wildfire updates, click here.
LNU Lightning Complex
Firefighters had mostly stopped the Meyers Fire, the smallest blaze making up the LNU Lightning Complex, reaching 97% containment on the 2,360-acre fire Aug. 25 night. Containment on the Walbridge Fire just west of Healdsburg was at 17%. Progress on the blaze, which was 54,503 acres, has been slow due to the rugged terrain in the area. The fire and its merged cousin, the Stewarts Fire, are threatening homes in the Forestville and Rio Nido areas northwest of Santa Rosa.
The Hennessy Fire, burning mostly in Napa County, is still the largest in the complex. It had charred 299,463 acres and was 29% contained as of Aug. 25 night.
The number of personnel assigned to the LNU complex more than doubled from 580 to over 1,400 Aug. 21 and nearly 200 fire engines were on the scene, fire officials said. Even more support poured in Aug. 25 to the state’s top priority wildfire incident, with more than 2,207 personnel on scene.
Numerous evacuation orders and road closures — taking up 10 pages of Aug. 24 ’s 11-page incident report — remain in place in rural parts of Napa, Lake and Sonoma counties, with over 30,000 structures still considered threatened. Orders in Solano and Yolo counties have been lifted.
On Aug. 25, wildfire evacuation orders and warnings were lifted for the Sonoma County coast south of the Russian River, east of Dry Creek, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said. Around the same time, Cal Fire initiated evacuation warnings for portions of Napa County. A full list is on the Cal Fire incident page.
The LNU Complex of fires had destroyed 978 structures and damaged another 256, Cal Fire said Aug. 25 night.
Residents should still be ready and on high alert, even if they’re not immediately impacted by an evacuation order or advisory, fire officials say.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of being prepared to leave,” LNU Cal Fire unit chief Shana Jones said Aug. 23.
The LNU Lightning Complex fires turned deadly Aug. 20 with the deaths of three people in Napa County and one man in Solano County, along with a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. employee who died while responding to the fire in Vacaville.
SCU Lightning Complex
The SCU Lightning Complex grew to become the second-largest wildfire in California state history after surpassing the acreage of the LNU Lightning Complex on Aug. 24. Firefighters said strong winds helped fuel the increase, which prompted evacuations to the doorstep of Livermore late Aug. 22.
A massive and growing complex of about 20 lightning-linked fires in the South Bay exploded in parts of five counties by last Wednesday evening, Cal Fire’s San Mateo-Santa Cruz unit said.
As of Aug. 25 night, 31 structures have been destroyed, Cal Fire said.
The fires were burning in three distinct zones within Santa Clara, Alameda, Stanislaus, Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties, with more than 20,000 total structures threatened, Cal Fire said.
Three first responders have been hurt battling the SCU complex, Cal Fire says. Two civilians were injured when they were among five found Wednesday suffering from injuries in the Canyon Zone.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for parts of Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Alameda and San Joaquin counties. Evacuation warnings are also in place in those counties, in addition to Merced County. A full list is on the Cal Fire incident page.
The SCU Lightning Complex, in conjunction with the CZU Lightning Complex and the Woodward Fire, have led to the closure of nearly 200 Bay Area parks and preserves. Officials have cited safety concerns, especially given the smoke blanketing northern California, as the reason behind thee closures.
“Please consider safer alternatives to outdoor activities during this time of extreme heat and fire danger. Do not overexert yourself or your pets and stay hydrated and sheltered from heat,” officials wrote on the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Facebook page.
Parks in the East Bay Regional Park District and around the peninsula and South Bay have been shut down. State and national parks and beaches along the coast have also closed, in addition to county parks in Alameda, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo.
Park employees are also participating in fire fighting efforts through the construction of fire breaks and the clearing of fuels for the flames.
Moc Fire
The smaller fire near Moccasin in Tuolumne County poses danger for critical power and water distribution infrastructure for San Francisco, PG&E and Moccasin Fish Hatchery.
As of Aug. 25 night, the flames had destroyed two outbuildings. All evacuation orders had been lifted, and no injuries had been reported.
The fire was first reported shortly before 2 p.m. Aug. 20 near Highways 49 and 120 in the southwest corner of the foothills county, west of Groveland. What was then a 5-acre fire forced the closure of the highways, so fire crews could access the area.
The fire then grew quickly, according to alerts from the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page. By 3:45 p.m. the flames had burned 300 acres and prompted a mandatory evacuation order from Highway 120 at Moccasin through Big Oak Flat, to Merrell Road in Groveland.
CZU Lightning Complex
For the first time, firefighters reported progress in containing the collection of fires raging across Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, but warned that the trend could quickly change with the weather.
The CZU Complex of fires destroyed 443 structures and damaged another 43 as of Aug. 25 night, Cal Fire said.
The fire also left the campgrounds in Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties closed until at least Aug. 31. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, which has been decimated by the complex, has closed indefinitely, but park employees said they will work to rebuild and reopen.
Jones Fire
Full containment could come as soon as Aug. 20 on a lightning-sparked blaze in Nevada County that has burned since Aug. 17.
All residents evacuated by the Jones Fire burning on the northwest outskirts of Nevada City and Grass Valley have been cleared to return home as fire activity calms. Over 20 structures — 14 homes, six barns and one commercial building— have been destroyed as of Aug. 25 evening. Three other homes have been damaged. Cal Fire says firefighters saved 20 structures in the wildfire.
Seven firefighters have been injured, Cal Fire said. Three firefighters suffered heat-related injuries, three suffered from poison oak and one suffered a minor cut.
The Union reported earlier this week that parts of the Independence Trail in South Yuba River State Park were burned by the wildfire, including a ramp dating back to the 1980s that lead up to Rush Creek, making it the first wheelchair-accessible wilderness trail in the the country.
River and Carmel fires
Authorities have evacuated more than 5,000 people, and the flames have threatened 6,300 homes or buildings, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire.
As of Aug. 25, Cal Fire has made significant strides toward the containment of both fires. The River Fire has not spread since Aug. 24, with expected full containment by Sept. 6. The Carmel Fire’s spread has also been limited, not growing since Aug. 23 evening, and also expected to be fully contained by Sept. 6.
Evacuation orders were in place throughout the county, with a full list found here. Cal Fire announced more evacuations at 5 p.m. on Aug. 22 for all areas east of Carmel Valley Road, extending south from Finch Creeek to Arroyo Seco Road. Additionally, all areas west of River Road, Fort Romie Road and Arroyo Seco Road, eextending south to Elm Avenue and Arroyo Seco Road are ordered to evacuate.
The River Fire has destroyed 30 structures, damaged 12 more and injured four firefighters, Cal Fire said. The injuries are all minor. Full containment was expected on Sept. 6.
Close to the River Fire, the Carmel Fire threatened homes to the northwest in Carmel Valley. The Carmel Fire started Aug. 25 about 14 miles northeast of Big Sur, 16 miles southeast of Monterey and 148 miles south of Sacramento. It has destroyed 73 structures, damaged seven and threatens 462 more, according to Cal Fire.
Butte/Tehama/Glenn Lightning Complex
Wind, smoke, dry fuels and difficult terrain continue to challenge firefighters in two clusters 30 miles apart.
In total, the fires in this complex have burned 50,800 acres and destroyed two structures, Cal Fire said Aug. 25 night. The flames were threatening 250 structures.
“Resources are constantly being shifted between fires as the need arises,” Cal Fire said in a Aug. 22 update. “Another round of thunderstorms is in the forecast for the next few days, so crews are working to contain current fires as quickly as possible ahead of the potential weather system.”
The Tehama Zone has multiple fires burning to the east of the Mendocino National Forest and officials said it will continue to threaten communities to the east. “Personnel will continue to plan and implement evacuation plans as needed,” Cal Fire wrote.
Two buildings have been destroyed and another has been damaged, and evacuation warnings have been issued for Tehama Zones A through K, which Cal Fire clarified Aug. 22 . A full list of what’s ordered is on the Cal Fire incident page.
The Glenn Zone has multiple fires burning including the Ivory Fire, which is expected to continue to burn toward communities to the east. Orders are in effect for All areas west of County Road 306, for the full length of the county from the Colusa County line north to the Tehama County line and all areas west to the Mendocino County line. The area of Newville (County Road 200) from County Road 306 west to Forest Boundary from the Tehama County line south to Burrows Gap.
The Butte Zone, sparked by at least 25 lightning-sparked fires, has prompted evacuation warnings in the Inskip/Philbrook area.
Over 700 personnel are fighting the three zones as of Aug. 24 night.
August Complex (including Doe Fire)
The August Complex, caused by lightning strikes at the Mendocino National Forest, has gone from 32 fires to 20, as many of the fires have burned together, the U.S. Forest Service said in a Aug. 22 update.
The Tathum and Cold Springs fires merged approximately 4 miles west of Paskenta. “We are working in tandem with Cal Fire who is constructing dozer lines along County Road 306 to protect the private homes and properties,” the Forest Service wrote.
Ten structures have been destroyed for the fire that started Aug. 16. Roughly 460 firefighters were on the lines, officials said.
The following areas are under an evacuation order: Mendocino National Forest from Forest Boundary line in Glenn County west to Mendocino County. Newville from County Rd 306 west to the forest boundary, from Tehama County line south to Burrows gap.
Area from Burrows gap south to County Road 307 in Elk Creek remain under evacuation warnings, as does an area from the forest boundary east to County Road 306. That includes Elk Creek, Chrome and Grindstone Rancheria. Newville from County Road 306 east to Black Butte Lake, from County Road 200 is also under an advisory.
The county’s evacuation point is Willows City Hall. An animal shelter has opened at the Glenn County Fairgrounds in Orland.
The August Complex is now the state’s 23rd largest wildfire.
Elkhorn Fire
The U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire are battling flames in the Tomhead Mountain area west of Red Bluff. The fire is part of the Butte/Tehama/Glenn Lightning Complex, in the Tehama County zone, that began with lightning strikes earlier last week.
A forest closure is in effect for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest south of Highway 36 and east of Forest Road 30, but Highway 36 remains open to travelers. The closure also includes Forest roads 30, 35 and 45, Post Creek Lookout, and Basin Gulch, White Rock and Tomhead Saddle campgrounds. The Stuart Gap, West Low Gap, Rat Trap Gap and Tomhead Saddle trailheads are also closed.
Evacuations related to the Elkhorn Fire and the rest of the Butte/Tehama/Glenn Lightning Complex are in effects, with a full list by Cal Fire.
Dolan Fire
The Dolan Fire saw significant gains this weekend, rising to nearly 20,000 acres as firefighters worked to contain the fire. By Aug. 23, 5,000 more acres had been covered by the fire. On Aug. 21, the wildfire, burning near Big Sur, wasn’t contained at all, but by the next day it was 10% contained, where it has remained since.
The fire’s containment increased from 10% to 15% throughout the day Aug. 24, with firefighters expecting full containment by Sept. 16, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The U.S. Forest Service said in a news release that fire behavior was subdued by the marine layer Aug. 24 night. However, the fire still grew over 100 acres throughout the night.
Despite starting on last Aug. 25, the fire didn’t gain traction until later in the week. On Aug. 20, the fire was reported at 2,500 acres but exploded to 8,500 acres by Aug. 21.
A Fresno man is being held in Monterey County Jail, accused of setting the Dolan Fire.
It is forcing the closure of several state parks in the Big Sur area. Closures include: John Little State Natural Reserve, Limekiln State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Point Sur State Historic Park, Garrapata State Park and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
North Complex
The North Complex, located in the Plumas National Forest, consists of 21 fires that, like many others burning now in California, were sparked by lightning more than a week ago.
The largest among these is the Sheep Fire, which accounts for more than 48,000 acres of the complex and is burning just south of Susanville. The Claremont and Bear fires, which are further south near the Middle Fork of the Feather River, south of Quincy, are nearly 20,000 acres in total. Another 10 fires in the complex, mostly smaller, have been fully contained.
On Aug. 24 night, Forest Service officials said, the Claremont Fire moved east toward Highway 70, triggering an evacuation advisory for Cromberg and Sloat, where about 150 structures are threatened. “The south side of the fire moving along the Feather River is in very challenging terrain, and is now within half-mile southwest of Highway 70,” officials wrote in a Aug. 25 update.
Crews will work Aug. 25 to reinforce a dozer line and a large stretch of completed dozer line from Quincy to Claremont “in an effort to keep it from moving north.” More closures along Highway 70 are expected.
The Bear Fire, meanwhile, “continues to move aggressively to the north and west up Bear Creek and along Forest Road 23N19 as it moves around constructed dozer line,” officials wrote in the latest update.
Crews on the Sheep Fire got a positive break in the weather Aug. 24, helping them strengthen lines and defend structures. Of the original 21 fires in the complex, Forest Service officials said that 16 are now fully contained.
Several communities to the south of Susanville and in the east of Quincy have been ordered to evacuate, too. Evacuees in the area of the Sheep Fire were being sent to the Lassen Community College and those near the Claremont and Bear fires to the Quincy High School.
Red Salmon Complex
The fires in the Red Salmon Complex are burning along the dividing lines between Humboldt, Siskiyou and Trinity counties. Fire officials said in the latest update Aug. 25 that “fire activity remained quiet” with no significant growth observed overnight.
Two fires, the Red Fire and the Salmon Fire, comprise the complex. These, unlike many others burning in the state, were started during a thunderstorm dating back past last week. The two fires ignited on July 27 14 miles northeast of Willow Creek. Since then, the Red and Salmon fires have fused together to burn fuel in the Trinity Alps Wilderness and the Six Rivers National Forest.
The complex is currently burning through old growth timber and is spreading southeast. Firefighters have halted its westward expansion, but flames continue to run up hills in other directions.
There are several Native American communities near the fire zone, prompting firefighters to use a gentler fire response in order to preserve cultural and natural heritage.
“Firefighting objectives reflect efforts to protect the cultural values and natural resources of the area,” officials with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest said. “Minimum impact suppression techniques (MIST) guidelines are being implemented to preserve wilderness and cultural values.”
W-5 Cold Springs Fire
The W-5 Cold Springs Fire is burning on land controlled by the Bureau of Land Management in northeastern Lassen County near the Nevada state line.
The fire started on Aug. 25 after a lightning strike 11 miles east of Madeline, and has since grown to its current size.
Fire fuel in the area consists mostly of brush and grass, plus some mountain mahogany trees. The fire is expected to continue to spread eastward, according to BLM officials. Winds in the range of 30 miles per hour have been pushing the fire along.
Due to the remote area of the fire, no structures have been threatened or damaged and no evacuations have been ordered, but habitat for the greater sage-grouse has been burned.
A total of 293 firefighters have been sent out to combat the W-5 Cold Springs Fire.
Woodward Fire
The Woodward Fire is threatening more than a thousand structures near Point Reyes National Seashore.
Marin County fire officials said the fire in Point Reyes National Seashore was started by lightning a week ago, and is spreading southwest, throwing smoke into nearby communities. Two Marin County firefighters were rescued by helicopter Aug. 21 night after becoming trapped.
Although none have been destroyed, 1,620 structures are threatened by the wildfire. Point Reyes is a popular tourist destination and evacuation warnings are in place in parts of western Marin County.
Point Reyes National Seashore is closed indefinitely, while all access points to the park have also been shut down.
“There are very few evacuation routes from west Marin and there are multiple fire resources utilizing the roadways. It is imperative that roadways are open in the event of an evacuation order,” officials wrote on the Point Reyes Facebook page.
This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 9:54 AM with the headline "Weather favorable in fight against California’s large fires."
