September Lightning Complex fires scorch nearly 14,000 acres in Central California; containment passes 50%
Most evacuation orders issued for the September Lightning Complex fires were lifted after nearly 100 structures were destroyed in the fires.
The major fires that forced people to flee included the 2-7 Fire just east in Calaveras County and the 6-5 Fire in Tuolumne County. Evacuation orders were also issued for a third fire, the 2-2 Fire in the northern corner of Stanislaus County.
Cal Fire's Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit stated that those three fires are among 22 that comprise the TCU September Lightning Complex, which has combined to burn nearly 14,000 acres as of Sunday. Cal Fire reported 57% containment.
"Today, minimal fire activity was observed with smoldering pockets continuing to be found throughout the complex," the agency said on Thursday.
Crews continue to build containment lines and strengthen containment lines that were already established.
As for damage, Cal Fire said 95 structures were destroyed and seven were damaged. It's unclear how many of those were homes.
Damage in California Gold Rush town of Chinese Camp
The 6-5 Fire exploded to more than 7,000 acres burned with 10% containment reported as of Saturday, according to Cal Fire. This fire was burning on the north end of Don Pedro Reservoir, causing "a lot of destruction" to the area of the historic Chinese Camp, according to Tuolumne County District 5 Supervisor Jaron Brandon.
Surveillance video obtained by CBS Sacramento shows the Chinese Camp Cemetery caught fire. Additionally, a CBS Sacramento crew in the area captured images of burned homes and other buildings. No injuries have been reported.
According to the Cal Fire Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit, the 2-2 Fire was first reported shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday near Highway 4 and Dunton Road, west of the town of Copperopolis in Calaveras County. The fire has burned more than 3,400 acres with 100% containment, according to Cal Fire.
Around noon on Tuesday, authorities in Calaveras County announced the 2-7 Fire broke out near the Vallecito region off Highway 4. Traffic on the highway has not been impacted, according to the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office.
The 2-7 Fire has burned approximately 606 acres with 50% containment reported, according to Cal Fire's incident page. The 2-8 Fire has also burned around 1,326 acres in Copperopolis along Little John Road, with 50% containment.
Crews were also battling a fire dubbed the 2-3 Fire, which was first reported around 7:20 a.m. Tuesday near O'Byrnes Ferry Road and Copper Cove Court southeast of Copperopolis. The fire has burned at least 290 acres with 50% containment.
There were a handful of other fires that burned anywhere from 2 to 40 acres in the region.
The fires started as thunderstorms rolled through much of the Central Valley and the Bay Area. Cal Fire TCU said the fires were all believed to have been started by lightning.
Evacuation orders and road closures for the 6-5 Fire
A mandatory evacuation order was issued for the north end of Don Pedro Reservoir up north to Chinese Camp, where Highway 49 and Highway 108 meet. Here is a live map showing the affected area.
Cal Fire said the Sonora Senior Center at 540 Greenley Road in Sonora was an acting evacuation shelter. Chicken Rancho Casino Resort in Jamestown said offered a complimentary night's stay to evacuees with a valid ID.
Caltrans said the Highway 120 and Highway 108 divide, known as Yosemite junction, was closed due to the fire. Highway 120 was closed from Chinese Camp to Jacksonville Road.
Evacuation orders for 2-7 Fire
A handful of zones were placed in evacuation orders, including the town of Chiense Camp. By Friday, all evacuation orders were lifted, allowing residents to return home. However, some zones remained in evacuation warnings. The latest on evacuations for the 2-7 Fire can be found online.
Bret Harte High School at 364 Murphys Grade Road in Angels Camp was serving as an evacuation shelter.
Evacuation orders and road closures for 2-2 Fire
The 2-2 Fire prompted the closure of Highway 4 on Tuesday between Escalon Bellota Road in San Joaquin County and Telegraph Road in Calaveras County. It reopened in the afternoon.
As of about 11:45 a.m., the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office announced an evacuation order for zones CCU-155 and CCU-152-A, near the Calaveras-Stanislaus county line. Deputies said the affected area includes the Diamond 20 Ranch Estates along the north side of Highway 4.
As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, all orders for the 2-2 Fire were no longer in place.