CLEARLAKE OAKS – A wildland fire broke out around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on Highway 20 half a mile west of the “Y” where it meets Highway 53. Traffic was stopped on Highway 20 in both directions for approximately 45 minutes, opening shortly after 4 p.m.
Three homes in the area were evacuated as firefighters battled flames that leapt over 20 feet into the air above the tops of 100-foot digger pine trees and spread rapidly through thick manzanita brush as it was fanned by high winds. Temperatures in the high 90s created heat exhaustion danger for firefighters combating the flames.
Embers carried on the wind started spot fires some distance away from the main fire, one in a grassy area on the shoulder across Highway 20. Another in a field around three quarters of a mile away was slowed by a helicopter dropping water until crews were able to contain it by scraping away vegetation in a perimeter of bare dirt around it.
The first Northshore Fire unit on scene reported two acres involved. In less than 10 minutes it was up to six acres, with a rapid spread through heavy timber and brush, according to Battalion Chief Lou Dukes.
Responders called for mutual aid from Lake County Fire Protection District, which sent an engine, a water tender and Assistant Fire Chief Bud Moore, who acted as ground and structure protection incident commander.
Cal Fire equipment including dozers, helicopters, air tankers and a spotter plane were instrumental in saving approximately six homes in the area with water and flame retardant drops, along with fire crews assigned to each house.
Chief Robins reported that the only losses were a few sheds, with no injuries reported or homes burnt.
As of press time Tuesday night, Northshore Fire”s Clearlake Oaks station had sent a water tender and an engine, as well as an engine out of its Lucerne station and Fire Chief Jim Robins. Cal Fire had sent 10 engines, two dozers and two helicopters, along with two air tankers and a spotter plane from Ukiah and another air tanker from Sonoma.
Lake County Fire District assisted with one engine one water tender. U.S. Forest Service sent two engines and one water tender. Konocti Conservation Camp sent three crews to combat the blaze, and a water tender came from the Clearlake Lava rock quarry in Clearlake Oaks to help. Lake County Sheriff”s Office and California Highway Patrol units were on scene for traffic control.
Approximately 75 fire personnel responded, and by 5 p.m. the fire had consumed approximately 20 acres, said Robins.
He said the three Konocti Conservation Camp crews – and possibly more – will stay at the scene likely until Wednesday morning mopping up hot spots and cutting down pine trees to ensure that no more spot fires will ignite from embers carried on the evening winds.
The point of the fire”s origin and its cause are still under investigation.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com. Record-Bee photographer Bob Minenna contributed to this report.
