A fast-moving wildfire burning along the Mendocino-Lake county line has grown to roughly 3,500 acres and is only 10 percent contained, forcing residents in eight zones to evacuate as dry winds and low humidity keep pushing the flames forward. If you live anywhere near Potter Valley, Highway 20, or the Upper Lake area of Mendocino National Forest, this is what you need to know right now.
The Lucas Fire started Thursday morning near Potter Valley, close to the border of Lake and Mendocino counties northeast of Ukiah. What began as a 10-acre grass fire exploded to roughly 400 acres by Thursday afternoon and kept climbing overnight as gusty winds and dry vegetation gave it plenty of fuel. Cal Fire crews reported the blaze at about 3,476 acres and 10 percent containment as of Friday evening, and officials warned that rising temperatures and dropping humidity heading into the weekend could push it further.
Who has to leave, and where can they go?
Cal Fire has ordered mandatory evacuations for eight zones in Lake County, with two more zones under evacuation orders in Mendocino County and roughly a dozen additional zones under evacuation warnings, meaning residents there should be ready to leave on short notice. A temporary evacuation point and animal shelter has been set up at the Lake County Fairgrounds’ Baldwin Pavilion in Lakeport for anyone who needs a place to go, including people with pets and livestock.
Highway 20 is closed at three separate points because of the fire, and the U.S. Forest Service has issued an emergency closure for the Upper Lake Ranger District portion of Mendocino National Forest, so anyone planning to drive through the area or use that stretch of forest land should expect delays and detours for the time being.
A Red Flag Warning covering the fire zone is in effect from 11 a.m. Saturday through 11 a.m. Monday, meaning the National Weather Service expects conditions that could cause any fire, including this one, to spread rapidly. Cal OES has pre-positioned 26 fire engines, nine water tenders, a helicopter, a bulldozer, and about 100 personnel in the region through Monday morning specifically to get ahead of that warning.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No deaths or injuries have been reported so far, and officials have not detailed how many structures, if any, are directly threatened, though the scale of the evacuation orders suggests fire managers are treating the risk to homes seriously.
If you have family or property in Lake or Mendocino counties, the most reliable way to check your specific zone status is the Cal Fire incident page for the Lucas Fire or your county’s emergency alert system, since evacuation orders and warnings can change quickly as containment lines move.
Sources: CBS News San Francisco · Cal OES · Cal Fire Lucas Fire incident page
