LOWER LAKE, Calif. – A wildland fire that began near Lower Lake Wednesday afternoon ballooned in size within hours, resulting in evacuations.
The Rock fire was first dispatched at around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Morgan Valley and Rocky Creek roads east of Lower Lake.
By 7:15 p.m., it had reached 1,000 acres, according to Cal Fire.
Resources from the Wragg fire in Napa and Solano counties have been diverted to assist on the incident, where early on Wednesday evening six air tankers and five helicopters continued to hit it from the sky, with a large force of ground resources also on scene.
Evacuations remain in effect until further notice for all residents of Morgan Valley Road between the Napa County Line and the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 53 in Lower Lake, according to the Lake County Office of Emergency Services.
The Red Cross has an evacuation center in place at the Highlands Senior Center in Clearlake, 3245 Bowers Ave., authorities said.
Cal Fire's latest report said the fire continues to travel at a rapid rate of spread with forward spotting.
Part of the incident includes a large spot fire that was reported on Morgan Valley Road about an hour after the first fire was reported.
Temperatures at the scene have reached 100 degrees, with 10 percent humidity and wind coming from the south at 11 miles per hour, officials said.
Agencies on scene include Cal Fire, Lake County Fire, Kelseyville Fire, South Lake Fire and Northshore Fire.
Total resources committed as of 7:30 p.m. included 171 firefighters, 12 fire engines, six fire crews, six air tankers, five helicopters, five dozers and four water tenders.
Additional details will be posted as they become available throughout the night.
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Rock fire balloons to 1,000 acres
- Elizabeth Larson
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