Three wildfires continue to burn across California, with the Lucas Fire in Lake and Mendocino counties surpassing 1,000 acres less than a day after it started.
The Timber Fire and Plaskett Fire are also burning in Monterey County, though the latter is closer to containment.
Here's what to know about the three wildfires burning in California today.
Lucas Fire in Lake and Mendocino counties
The Lucas Fire started in a remote area of Potter Valley the morning of Thursday, Sept. 10, quickly growing from 10 acres to more than 1,000 acres within a day, according to CAL FIRE.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office declared a local emergency in response to the fire Friday, Sept. 11.
As of 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, the Lucas Fire — which is burning across Lake and Mendocino counties — had scorched 4,128
acres.
The fire stood 30% containment Monday morning after cooler temperatures and lighter winds Sunday created more favorable conditions, "helping crews make significant progress," according to fire officials.
CAL FIRE said crews on Monday will focus on "primary control lines that are in place, completing contingency lines and mopping up hotspots deeper inside the fire perimeter, particularly on the eastern side."
Evacuation orders are in place for the following zones for Lake and Mendocino counties:
Lake County:
- MNF-E016
- MNF-E018
- MNF-E019
- UPP-E023
- UPP-E025
- UPP-E027
- UPP-E030
Mendocino County:
- MEN-2POT08-B
Evacuation warnings have been issued for the following areas in Lake and Mendocino counties:
Lake County:
- MNF-E012
- MNF-E013
- MNF-E015
- MNF-E017
- MNF-E021
- UPP-E026
- UPP-E028B
- UPP-E032
- UPP-E035
- UPP-E038
Mendocino County:
- MEN-2POT08-A
- MEN-2UKV28
Road closures are in place for Highway 20 and Bachelor Valley Road.
A temporary evacuation point and animal shelter are located at:
- Lake County Fairgrounds401 Martin St, Lakeport, CA 95453
The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to CAL FIRE.
Timber Fire in Monterey County
The Timber Fire in Monterey County began "in a remote location with difficult access" at about 9:38 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, burning about 100 acres, the Los Padres National Forest said in a Facebook post.
As of Monday morning, the fire had burned 25,426 acres and was 39% contained, according to CAL FIRE.
"The Timber Fire held steady on Sunday with no growth and containment remaining at 39%, even with increased winds along the coast and ridge tops," the U.S. Forest Service said in a Facebook post, adding that, "Crews are making solid progress across the fire."
Three firefighters have been injured battling the blaze, which threatens 661 structures, according to CAL FIRE.
Evacuation orders have been issued for the following areas: MRY-D082, MRY-D089, MRY-D090, MRY-D091, MRY-F015-A, MRY-F015-B, MRY-F015-C, MRY-F020, MRY-F023-B, MRY-F028-B, MRY-F028-C, MRY-F029, and MRY-F031-A.
The following areas are under evacuation warnings: MRY-D078, MRY-D084, MRY-D085, MRY-D086, MRY-D088, MRY-F014, MRY-F016, MRY-F017, MRY-F018, MRY-F019, MRY-F022, MRY-F021-A, MRY-F021-B, MRY-F023-A, MRY-F024, MRY-F025, MRY-F026, MRY-F027-A, MRY-F027-B, MRY-F028-A, MRY-F028-D, MRY-F030-A, MRY-F030-B, MRY-F031-B, MRY-F032-A, and MRY-F032-B.
CAL FIRE said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Highway 1 fully reopened as of Monday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol, Monterey.
"Please use caution as firefighters and heavy equipment are actively working along Highway 1," the U.S. Forest Service said.
Plaskett Fire in Monterey County
The Plaskett Fire is burning about 40 miles south of Timber Fire in Monterey County. The fire has burned 29,961 acres in Monterey County since it started on Aug. 26 and is at 89% containment, according to a Monday status report from CAL FIRE.
"The objective remains to keep the fire within its current footprint while firefighters continue strengthening containment lines and completing suppression repair," the U.S. Forest Service said in a Sept. 13 Facebook post.
Evacuation orders have been issued for the following areas: FHL-G011, FHL-G012-B, FHL-G014, MRY-G016, FHL-G017, FHL-G018, and FHL-G023.
Evacuation warnings are in place for the following zones: MRY-F033, MRY-F034, MRY-F035, and MRY-F036.
Forest Road 23S10, east of Los Burros Road, in Plaskett, remains closed, according to CAL FIRE.
Fire officials are investigating the cause of the fire.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 3 California wildfires burning as Lucas Fire tops 4,000 acres
