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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Evacuations have been called for in an area of Clearlake due to a wildland fire that began burning there early Friday afternoon, with a second fire reported in the city a short time later.
The Extension fire was first reported just before 1:15 p.m. in the area behind Woodland Community College and Walmart, according to radio reports. Just before 3 p.m. Cal Fire estimated the fire was at 10 acres.
The Clearlake Police Department said all residences along 18th Avenue were under immediate evacuation just before 1:45 p.m., with the area of Dam Road at the Cache Creek Apartments to 20th Avenue added to the evacuation area at 2:30 p.m.
Woodland Community College also was reported to be evacuating, based on dispatch reports.
However, nearby St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake had not called for evacuations as of 3 p.m.
“There is a fire currently in proximity to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake on 18th Avenue in Clearlake and first responders are on scene. The fire department is working on containment and evacuation orders for the hospital are not expected at this time,” said spokeswoman Cambria Wells.
Lake County Fire and Cal Fire were among the initial agencies that responded to the incident, with requests to Northshore Fire for mutual aid, reports from the scene indicated.
Responding units were told to be careful due to downed lines in various areas of the fire.
Cal Fire's air resources have been making water and retardant drops in an effort to stop the fire.
Shortly before 2:30 p.m., incident command made an immediate need request for an in-county strike team of engines.
Scanner reports indicated that 18th Avenue at Gardner and at Highway 53 was closed to all but fire vehicles.
Shortly after 2:45 p.m., another fire was reported in the area of Ogulin Canyon and Highway 53.
The first units at the Ogulin incident reported that it was about three acres and burning uphill north of Ogulin Canyon.
Incident command on the Extension fire began diverting resources to that second incident and made a request to Mendocino County for another immediate need strike team. Northshore Fire units also were reported to be responding.
Shortly after 3:15 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff's Office reported that automated emergency calls had been made to the residents of Ogulin Canyon advising of nonmandatory but recommended evacuations.
At the same time, the agency said a temporary evacuation shelter was being set up at the Clearlake Community Center at 3245 Bowers Ave.
Incident command also was calling for the activation of the Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection group to stage at the former water park to help with removing animals from the area.
Just before 3:30 p.m., the Ogulin fire was reported to be 20 acres.
Shortly afterward, fire officials asked Pacific Gas and Electric to cut all power in the area from Ogulin Canyon to the east.
At 3:45 p.m., the Clearlake Police Department reported that evacuees from the Avenues area impacted by the Extension fire could return home.
At 4:02 p.m., the Ogulin fire – renamed the “North Branch Extension” fire, was reported to be 50-percent contained.
At 4:12 p.m., incident command said the North Branch Extension fire was holding at 15 acres, based on estimates from Cal Fire's air attack.
Additional details will be posted as they become available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.