NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Tuesday saw several additional wildland fires break out around the region.
Shortly before 4 p.m. the “16 Complex” broke out along Highway 16, south of Highway 20, in Colusa County’s Rumsey Canyon area.
The initial fire quickly grew in size, with a second spot fire starting three miles to the east of the first fire, according to radio reports.
Within the first hour a large order was made for air tankers and helicopters to respond as the first fire made a run to the north.
Cal Fire’s 7 p.m. update put the fires at 500 acres, but the main fire was estimated at closer to 1,000 acres and the smaller fire at 200 acres a short time later, reports from the scene indicated. Cal Fire confirmed the 1,200-acre estimate later Tuesday night.
At about 9 p.m. incident command issued an advisory evacuation for the nearby Cortina Rancheria, although the fire reportedly hadn’t yet reached the rancheria. Strike teams also were being ordered.
The 16 Complex has resulted in Highway 16 being closed from the junction of Highway 20 to 7.1 miles east of the Colusa/Yolo County line at Manzanita Avenue, according to Cal Fire.
In Yolo County, the “27 Fire” started at 3 p.m. on Road 27 and Road 28 near Madison. Shortly before 7 p.m. it was 175 acres and 90 percent contained, with Cal Fire reporting that forward progress had been stopped. It was said to be fully contained a short time later, based on radio reports.
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