Jerusalem Fire In Lake County Burns 6,000 Acres, Evacuations Ordered
LOWER LAKE (CBS SF) — A wildfire that broke out several miles south of the massive Rocky Fire in Lake County has forced the second evacuation of residents who were forced out of their homes days earlier.
A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection official said the new fire, known as the Jerusalem Fire, was reported Sunday afternoon near the communities of Lower Lake and Middletown.
According to Cal Fire, the fire has grown to 6,000 acres without any containment as of 6:45 p.m. Monday evening.
A mandatory evacuation has been issued for the Jerusalem Valley area east of Spruce Grove Road.
An advisory evacuation has been issued for Grange Road from Luchetti Ranch Road to Bucksnort Creek, Butts Canyon Road from Bucksnort creek to the Napa County line, Morgan Valley Road from Reiff Road to the Napa County line and Reiff Road from Morgan Valley Road to the Yolo County line.
For evacuees, an evacuation center has been established at Middletown High School.
Fire officials said the Jerusalem Fire could merge with the Rocky Fire, which has burned nearly 70,000 acres and is now over 85 percent contained as of Monday.
Firefighters and air tankers battling that fire were reassigned to attack the new fire.
Residents of the rural Jerusalem Valley fled their homes when the Rocky Fire threatened the area on July 31.
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