UPDATE: Cal Fire places the Pawnee Fire at 13,850 acres and 73 containment as of Saturday evening. Due to red flag fire conditions, officials noted that fire activity has increased. The red flag warning issued for the fire area will last through the weekend.
CLEARLAKE OAKS>> The Lake County Sheriff’s Office ordered a mandatory evacuation Saturday for the Double Eagle Subdivision area due to a flare up in the Pawnee Fire. According to officials, the most recent notice of evacuation affects all residents and businesses in the areas near the subdivision. An evacuation center is being set up at Lower Lake High School.
An advisory evacuation notice was also issued for residents south of Highway 20 between Morgan Valley and State Highway 16 and east from Sky High Road to the county line.
Per the California Highway Patrol, Highway 20 is closed from Highway 53 to Highway 16. Walker Ridge also remains closed at Highway 20 as is Mule Skinner Road at Highway 20.
Cal Fire officials had advised earlier in the day that fire activity is expected to continue in the region northeast of Clearlake Oaks and fire fighters were being flown by helicopter into remote sections of the fire.
More than 2,660 personnel including 159 engines, 64 fire crews, 28 tenders, 16 helicopters and 29 dozers have been assigned to battle the blaze which was reported at 13,700 acres and 73 percent containment by Saturday afternoon. Officials noted they expected full containment by July 3.
One fire fighter was reported injured during the incident.
Evacuations have also been issued in Yolo County where crews are battling the County Fire which thus far has burned 4,000 acres. The evacuations there are between County Road 63 to County Road 76, west of Highway 16 including the Murphy Ranch area, according to Cal Fire’s incident report.
The fire is being driven by red flash weather conditions consisting of high summer time temperatures, gushy winds and low humidities.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
