LAKE COUNTY — What started out as battles against a pair of large wildfires in eastern Lake County on Sunday evolved into an effort against a single incident Monday afternoon.
The fires, which began minutes apart near Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks, are now being managed as one incident, CAL FIRE reported.
A total of 6,000 acres has been burned in what is known as the “Wye Fire.” It is 25 percent contained, according to CAL FIRE.
Two buildings were destroyed, another was damaged and two people were injured. CAL FIRE stated 480 homes were threatened in Long Valley and Spring Valley.
Highway 20 was re-opened to single-lane traffic Monday about 6 p.m. with a California Highway Patrol pilot escort from Highway 53 to Wilbur Springs, CAL FIRE reported. The road opening is subject to change based on fire activity.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for New Long Valley, Old Long Valley and Spring Valley. The Wilbur Hot Springs area is also being evacuated.
As of 8 p.m. Monday, Spring Valley residents will be allowed back into their homes, according to CAL FIRE.
“Officers came in with horns saying it was mandatory we evacuate. We went to the Spring Valley store and they told us to go back home because we couldn”t get out. The whole front of Spring Valley was on fire,” resident Cheryl Cozad said.
An evacuation center is set up at the Highlands Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave. in Clearlake.
Fire crews are fighting the flames from the air and ground.
Of the 6,000 acres, more than 3,000 were associated with the blaze that broke out near the “Y” intersection of highways 20 and 53 east of Clearlake Oaks.
The other approximate 2,000 acres stemmed from a fire that began near Highway 20 east of Walker Ridge Road. It is in Lake and Colusa counties.
Both fires started just before 4 p.m. Sunday. The causes remain under investigation.
The Wye Fire is burning on both sides of Highway 20.
The Lake County Air Quality Management District predicted the air quality would be “unhealthy for sensitive individuals” to “unhealthy for everyone” on Tuesday based on anticipated wind conditions and the levels of particulate and ozone currently in the air.
The greatest air-quality concern exists for Clearlake, eastern Lake County and the Northshore communities. Areas closest to the fires could experience “severe” air quality.
The Wye Fire Call Center has two phone numbers in place: 967-4207 and 967-4208.
This story will be updated as new information becomes available. Photographs and additional information can be found at http://www.facebook.com/recordbee.
Staff reporters Denise Rockenstein and Kevin N. Hume contributed to this story.
