WALKER RIDGE ? Residents were voluntarily evacuated from approximately 35 homes in Indian Valley Reservoir, Walker Ridge and Bear Valley after a fire that started Sunday afternoon continued to rage uncontained on Monday, according to Cal Fire reports.
The blaze had consumed 8,000 acres by Monday afternoon, according to Cal Fire.
Approximately 25 homes in the Double Eagle Ranch subdivision, one in the Bear Valley Ranchland subdivision and 10 in the Wilber Hot Springs subdivision were vacated.
Because the fire was spreading rapidly and resources were limited, Cal Fire reported Monday that the fire was expected to increase to 10,000 acres. The blaze was headed east Monday afternoon toward Bear Valley. The Spring Valley and Wilber Hot Springs subdivisions were considered at risk in a 4:30 p.m. Cal Fire update.
Cal Fire personnel from the Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit responded, along with 13 engines, six air tankers and a DC-10 air attack airplane, which dropped fire retardant at approximately noon on Monday. The numbers of fire engines and crews were reduced in the afternoon, and three helicopters, four water tenders and four dozers were on hand to fight the blaze.
Approximately 100 firefighters were on scene Monday, including responders from the Northshore Fire Protection District (NFPD), Lakeport Fire Protection District, Kelseyville Fire, Lake County Fire Protection District and the South Lake County Fire Protection District, according to photographer Bob Minenna, who is also a volunteer firefighter with the Lake County Fire Protection District.
The Red Cross set up an evacuation center at the NFPD Clearlake Oaks Station, Minenna said. The Oasis restaurant in Clearlake Oaks offered respite to fire crews beyond normal operating hours while the fire raged, according to Minenna.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Walker Fire was one of 131 fires Cal Fire was battling statewide on Monday, according to a recorded message by Mendocino Cal Fire spokesperson Tracy Boudreaux. Of those, she said 60 to 70 were not staffed due to limited resources.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
