NORTH COAST, Calif. – A fast-moving fire in Mendocino County destroyed several structures and led to evacuations Saturday.
The Black Fire was first reported just before 4 p.m. on Black Bart Trail, north of Lake Mendocino and between Redwood Valley and Potter Valley, according to Cal Fire.
The fire sent up a large, dark plume of smoke that could be seen on Lake County's Northshore.
By nightfall Cal Fire confirmed that the fire had burned 125 acres, with radio reports indicating later in the evening that 150 or more acres were burned, with several houses also lost.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office issued an emergency notification to residents from Hell's Delight Canyon and northeast towards Potter Valley at around 5:30 p.m. Saturday notifying them of mandatory evacuations.
An emergency evacuation shelter was set up at Eagle Peak Middle School, located at 8601 West Road in Redwood Valley, sheriff's officials reported.
Officials asked for people to stay out of the fire area while firefighters and other emergency crews are working.
Information about the cause of the fire was not immediately available.
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