Pawnee Fire grows over 11,500 acres in Lake County
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. -- The Pawnee Fire in Lake County has increased in size to 11,500 acres, but fire crews have made progress with 5 percent containment, Cal Fire officials said.
Governor Jerry Brown declared a State of Emergency for the area while 1,500 firefighters battle the flames on the ground.
VIDEO: Pawnee Fire rages through Lake County
Of the 1,500 people evacuated, only a handful of people are staying at the Red Cross shelter in Lower Lake. Unfortunately, the community has been hit with so many wildfires they know the drill and have figured out where to stay. Others are camping.
The fire had burned around 8,200 acres as of 7 a.m. Monday and there was 0 percent containment, fire officials said. The fire is being driven by low relative humidity, erratic winds and above normal temperatures, but fire officials said overnight humidity should be around 60 percent, which should help fire crews.
PHOTOS: Pawnee Fire rages through Lake County
The blaze that started at 5:21 p.m. Saturday has destroyed 22 structures, damaged 4 others and threatens 600 more, fire officials said.
There have been no injuries to firefighters or civilians since the blaze started.
RELATED: New evacuation orders issued for Pawnee fire
Fire departments from around the Bay Area, including Alameda County, Berkeley, Fremont, Hayward and Oakland, have sent crews to battle the blaze.
Evacuations have been ordered for the entire Spring Valley community, according to fire officials. An evacuation center has been setup at Lower Lake High School at 9430 Lake St., Lower Lake.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
EVACUATION ORDERS AND RESOURCES
New evacuation orders have been issued for the Double Eagle Ranch area. Officials say there is "significant fire activity" threatening the area, so residents have been strongly advised to get out now. A shelter has been established at Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake Street in Lower Lake. The shelter will accept large and companion animals.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for the entire Spring Valley subdivision of Clearlake Oaks, Cal Fire said. The latest evacuation information can be found here.
Around 4 p.m. Sunday, officials expanded the mandatory evacuation area past Highway 20 to the north and east of Old Long Valley Road to Round Ball Road. The areas include Mule Skinner, Long Branch, Watertrough Road, Fintlock, Muzzleloader, No Guns, Antelope, Cougar, Marianne, Ramrod, and Moccasin in Lake County. Officials expanded the road closures Tuesday to include State Route 20 at Bear Valley Road, Bear Valley Road at Brim Road and Leesville Lodge Road at Brim Road in Colusa County. The intersections of State Route 20 at Old Long Valley Road, New Long Valley Road, Walker Ridge and Mule Skinner Road in Lake County were closed as well.
Some residents only escaped with the clothing on their backs. Luckily a family ABC7 News talked to was able to get their cat out of their home as well.
Officials say to please remember your pets, personal belongings, computers, prescriptions, photos, paperwork, and phones if time allows. Please try to close all windows and doors as well when you evacuatee.
An evacuation center has been established at Lower Lake High School, located at 9430 Lake Street. The Red Cross is gearing up to handle up to 300 evacuees.
Sheriff Martin added that there is an alternative evacuation site at the Moose Lodge, which is located at the junction of Highway 53 and Highway 20. The lodge, which has a bar, restaurant, and can handle animals, is very popular with locals when fires break out.
Officials are encouraging anyone in the area to conserve water so that firefighters can use it to fight the fast-growing blaze.
There are multiple road closures in and around the Spring Valley subdivision. More than 20 engines have been dispatched to contain the blaze, as well as two helicopters and several air tankers. The fire is being driven by low relative humidity, strong winds, Cal Fire said.
Click here for more information on Brown's state of emergency.
Get the latest on the Pawnee Fire here.
ABC7 News contributed to this story.
