LOWER LAKE >> Firefighters were divided, but quickly conquered, three blazes that ignited within a short span of time on Tuesday evening.
Within minutes of each other, plumes of smoke were spotted near the entrance to Anderson Marsh in Lower Lake and off Seigler Canyon Rd. At 5:30 p.m., crews from all districts were descending on the fires and air units had been called in.
The fires at Seigler Canyon and Kugelman threatened structures and law enforcement began evacuating areas near the blazes.
When it broke out, authorities considered the Seigler Canyon incident threatening. Flames were racing uphill. But the Kugelman fire began gobbling up acreage in large chunks as the evening wore on. At 7 p.m. it licked over 30 acres. By 7:45, CalFire estimated the damage at 45 acres.
Lower Lake High School was evacuated, but the football team — practicing for the upcoming season — sheltered in place.
Units from Mendocino County readied to join the fight, but by 8 p.m. units were being released from both blazes. The fire at First Inning Landing in Clearlake did not cause as much consternation.
At press time crews were battling a fourth wildfire near the north end of Lake Berryessa.
