Evacuation orders issued in Lake County, Colusa County for Ridge Fire; grows to 2,500 acres

(FOX40.COM) — A fire burning near the border of Lake County and Colusa County grew to 2,500 acres large on Saturday, according to Cal Fire, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Colusa County Sheriff’s Office have issued evacuation orders and warnings.

Just before 10 p.m., Cal Fire said the Ridge Fire was at 2,304 acres after being mapped at 9:25 pm and 10% contained. “We will have 3 helicopters conducting night water dropping operations, focusing on the north end. Ground resources will be heavily focused on keeping the fire west of Bear Valley Rd,” the agency added.

Evacuation orders are in effect for Lake County residents in the following Zones : CLO-E022, CLO-E083, CLO-E070, and CLO-E089.

Evacuation warnings are in place for Zone CLO-E104.

Cal Fire added the Ridge Fire is threatening about 50 structures, 30 in Lake County and 20 in Colusa County . In Lake County, road closures are in place at the following locations: Eastbound Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks at Route 53, westbound Highway 20 at E St, Highway 16 from Brooks, Leesville Road at King Road, and Lodoga Road at Bear Valley Road.

Cal Fire said the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office had issued an evacuation order for the following areas: Leesville Road to Leesville, Bear Valley Road to Highway 20, Wilber Springs Road, and Walker Ridge Road.

Around 9 p.m., the agency said, “Priorities Saturday evening are to hold the fire west of Bear Valley Road, south of Brim Road and at Highway 20 on the south side. The fire is traveling northeast, but firefighters expecting a potential wind shift at sundown, coming from the north.”

A map showing updated evacuation orders and warnings can be found here .

Just after 7 p.m., Cal Fire said, “There are 29 engines, seven dozers, six crews, seven fixed-winged aircraft, and five helicopters on the fire. Approximately 300 personnel.” The agency added that the fire was moving northeast and approaching Bear Valley Road.

Around 4:40 p.m., Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit said the Ridge Fire was about 50 acres large but was spreading rapidly. The agency added that the fire began near Highway 20 around Walker Ridge Road and Clearlake Oaks.

Moments later, Cal Fire said the acreage had jumped to 300 and a “significant augmentation of air and ground resources” was being sent to the fire; however, the agency said around 5:05 p.m. that “better mapping” showed the fire was at 192 acres.

Containment of the Ridge Fire is at 0%, and Cal Fire says the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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