LAKE COUNTY — The fire burning west of Scotts Valley Road on Cow Mountain grew to 4,618 acres and was 15 percent contained, officials reported Monday morning.
The Scotts Fire began for unknown reasons early Friday afternoon. Smoke continues to be visible across northern Lake County.
The fire is burning southeast toward Little Cow Mountain and east toward the Scotts Valley Road area in steep and rugged terrain, according to CAL FIRE.
An evacuation warning was issued for Scotts Valley Road from Highway 20, south to Hendricks Road. The warning considers the probability that an area could be impacted and prepares residents for a potential evacuation order.
Nearly 1,400 fire personnel were on scene Monday morning. A total of 300 homes and 40 outbuildings are threatened.
Crews and equipment are working to hold the fire south of Highway 20, west of Scotts Valley Road and east of Cow Mountain Road.
Officials predict air quality will be unhealthy throughout much of the county Monday, according to the Lake County Air Quality Management District. All parts of the county could be impacted if weather conditions do not improve, and some areas could experience hazardous air quality with north and northwest winds forecast.
There is a red flag warning in effect for the fire area for gusty winds and low humidity, which could increase fire activity.
Efforts are being made to protect federal lands as well as communications infrastructure in the Cow Mountain Road area, according to CAL FIRE.
Lampson Field in Lakeport remains closed to general aviation traffic because CAL FIRE is using the airport as a base for its air attack.
The Cow Mountain Recreation Area is closed at the Scotts Creek and Mill Creek entrances. For specific information regarding the Cow Mountain Recreation Area, contact the Bureau of Land Management at 468-4000.
Scotts Valley Road is open to residents only. Mendo Rock Road, which provides access to North Cow Mountain Road, is closed at Mill Creek. Mill Creek Road is also closed. For the latest information on wildfires, including any evacuation orders, visit http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current.
For the latest highway closure information, call the Caltrans Highway Information Service: (800) 427-7623.
This article will be updated as new information becomes available. Check the Record-Bee Facebook page, www.facebook.com/recordbee, for additional updates.
