Yet another sizeable fire erupted on Wednesday afternoon, this time along Elk Mountain Road near Upper Lake.
The initial call came in shortly before 3 p.m. By evening, four hours later, the blaze had consumed 450 acres of vegetation with 20 percent containment reported.
According to initial scanner calls, a lawn mower sparked the fire — although this has not been confirmed by Cal Fire, directing response to the Elk Incident with the U.S. Forest Service. First reports also claimed structures were threatened.
The North Shore Fire Protection District, Cal Fire and the USFS responded. Four air tankers make repeated runs over the area until nightfall on Wednesday, with helicopters working alongside. At one point three tankers lined up consecutive runs.
Helicopters buzzed over the area after dark.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol closed access to the area and a mandatory evacuation order for all residents on White Rock Canyon Road was issued and remained in effect at press time.
In addition, Elk Mountain Road at Rancheria Road was closed to everyone except residents. Those who live near White Rock Canyon Road were placed under an advisory evacuation order.
The evacuation staging area that was set up at the Upper Lake County Park has been closed. If anyone who has been evacuated needs shelter during the night, they are advised to call the Red Cross at 1-866-272-2237.
Residents are reminded to gather their medications, important papers and pets, due to the possibility of evacuating the area for an unknown length of time.
At press time on Wednesday night, 202 firefighters and 16 engine companies battled the growing blaze.
