Some Bear Fire evacuees to return home as fire slows in Northern California's Sierra County
SIERRA BROOKS — Several areas were repopulated in Sierra County days after a wildfire erupted in Northern California's Tahoe National Forest.
The Bear Fire, which started on Sept. 2, has burned 3,327 acres in the Sierra Brooks area of the forest in Sierra County as of Thursday evening, Cal Fire says. Containment increased to 15% and forest officials said they started mop-up operations, which consisted of extinguishing hot spots near control lines and removing dangerous trees and logs.
The U.S. Forest Service said the fire was contained at Bear Valley Road.
The Sierra Brooks area was downgraded to an evacuation warning at 4 p.m. Thursday. Only residents will be allowed into the area. However, they are urged to be vigilant as thunderstorms are predicted to hit the area on Friday.
More than 280 structures, totaling more than 500 residents, were under mandatory evacuation orders, officials said.
According to the Sierra County Sheriff's Office, multiple zones are under mandatory evacuation orders: SIE-E030, SIE-031-B, SIE-E032-A, SIE-E058 and SIE-E059. Multiple areas to the north of the mandatory evacuation zones are under evacuation warnings.
Here is a live evacuation map.
The cause of this fire is not yet known. Check back here for updates as this story develops.