LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Multiple outbuildings and three homes have been reported destroyed by the Rocky fire while 650 people have been evacuated. The fire has now grown to 8,300 acres after starting Wednesday afternoon.
Cal Fire's primary focus for today, air resource and ground crews, is working on containment lines according to Suzie Blankenship. Last night firefighters were heavily committed to evacuations and structure defense.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for residents in the Morgan Valley area. The terrain is rugged, steep, with difficult access, in heavy brush and timberland.
The fire has entered into the Cache Creek Wilderness Area and BLM Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Area. Additional resources are ordered.
There are approximately 650 evacuees. Two evacuation centers are opened - Highland Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Road, Clearlake and Middletown High School, 20932 Big Canyon Road, Middletown. An animal evacuation center is opened at the Lower Lake Social Services parking lot, 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake.
The fire has destroyed multiple outbuildings and three structures. Incident damage inspection is continuing.
The number of personnel working the fire has now reached 630 with 60 engine companies, eight air tankers, 36 bulldozers, 11 helicopters, 14 fire crews, 75 overhead personnel and 12 water tenders included.
Evacuatons: Mandatory - Morgan Valley Rd, both sides of the road to Knoxville Rd, Dam Rd, Mustang Court, Boham Rd, Ouarterhorse, Sleepy Hollow, Jerusalem Grade Road, Spruce Grove Rd (north), Noble Ranch Rd and Cantwell Ranch Rd
Road Closures: All mandatory evacuated (listed above) roads and Morgan Valley Road at Hwy 53.
CAL FIRE, Kelseyville FPD, South Lake FPD, Northshore FPD, Lake County Sheriff, CHP, Lake Evacuation, Animal Protection (LEAP), Lake County Office of Emergency Services, North Bay Incident Management Team, BLM, Red Cross and multiple local fire agencies are all working the fire.