Willow Fire Destroys 30 Structures In Yuba County, Some Evacuations Lifted
YUBA COUNTY (CBS13) — The latest on the Willow Fire burning in Yuba County:
7:46 p.m.
At least 30 structures have been destroyed in the Willow Fire, Cal Fire said. The fire is still 0% contained after burning 1,311 acres Wednesday. Crews say approximately 700 structures are still threatened as they work to battle the flames.
According to the Yuba County Sheriff, evacuations in Loma Rica south of Marysville Road were lifted Wednesday evening.
Voluntary evacuations for Oregon House Dobbins, north of MSVL Road area, are still active, the sheriff said.
Loma Rica area evacuation for #willowfire lifted south of Marysville Rd. All other orders remain in effect for #bearfire and voluntary order for Oregon House Dobbins north of MSVL Rd area still active for #willowfire https://t.co/ejAcox5stE
— Yuba County Sheriff (@YubaSheriff) September 10, 2020
4:28 p.m.
The Willow Fire has burned more than 1,300 acres and destroyed at least 14 homes and 16 outbuildings, Cal Fire said.
Firefighters are still up against some active flames up Willow Glen Road as strike teams work on containment. Crews say they are focusing on hotspots. Some are working to get into the roots of burning trees in order to completely extinguish the flames.
Cal Fire said in addition to cutting through smoldering trees, firefighters are focusing on structure defense to make sure homes still standing near hotspots are protected.
Officials say this firefight has been difficult because of the steep slopes and canyons that allow flames to spread rapidly. They say the previous drought and the Red Flag Warning were big factors in the way the fire spread.
People who live in this area say they have been on high alert.
"This year we already packed up three different times, it's incredible," one resident said.
11:30 a.m.
A Voluntary Evacuation Advisory has been issued for several areas in Yuba County due to the fast-growing Willow Fire.
The areas under voluntary evacuation include the Oregon House/Dobbins region north of Marysville Road, between French Town Road to the west, Indiana Ranch Road to the east and Forsythe road to the north.
All other evacuation orders are still in effect, the Yuba County Sheriff's Department says.
Evacuees are being told to head down Marysville Road southbound towards Marysville.
The staging area for evacuees is at the Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds in Yuba City.
6:15 a.m.
Evacuations have been ordered after a new-start, fast-moving vegetation fire off Marysville and Willow Glen roads near Loma Rica.
Cal Fire says, as of early Wednesday morning, about 300 acres have burned so far.
The Yuba County Sheriff's Office reports that some 3,000 residents in Loma Rica are under evacuation orders.
ALERT! New-start fire! Yuba County Sheriff's Department has issued a MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER for Loma Rica, beginning...
Posted by Yuba County Office of Emergency Services on Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Several roads are closed in the area, including:
Oregon Hill Rd @ Indiana Ranch Rd
Indiana Ranch Rd @ Eagle Trl
Forbestown Rd @ New York House Rd
Frenchtown Rd @ New York House Rd
La Porte Rd @ Honcut Ridge
Frenchtown Rd @ Marysville Rd
Forbestown Rd @ New York Flat Rd
Fruitland Rd @ Honcut Rd
Fruitland Rd @ Loma Rica Rd
Peoria Rd @ Dolan Harding Rd
Township Rd @ Peoria Rd
Willow Glen Rd @ Marysville Rd
An evacuation staging area is opening at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds. Small and large animals can be housed there.
Updates to follow.