[UPDATE 7:40 p.m.] Evacuations Underway, Hwy 20 Closed Due to Fire That Broke Out Just Before Four P.M.

Catholic FireA fire now being called the Catholic Fire because it began about 3:55 p.m. near a Catholic Church is burning near Clearlake Oaks in Lake County. Evacuations are underway.

The Lake County Sheriff sent out the following order:

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has issued an EVACUATION ORDER for residents in the area of Morine Ranch Rd in Clearlake Oaks. Residents are advised that there is an IMMEDIATE threat to life and property from a wildfire, and are urged to evacuate.  Please leave the area.  If you are in need of shelter please proceed to a Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) that will be announced shortly.  You are asked to stay in your vehicle and wear masks when you arrive at the TEP.  A shelter is being established and you will be directed to the shelter by staff at the TEP.

At 4:35 p.m., the fire has reached 10 to 15 acres, according to the Incident Commander speaking to dispatch over the scanner.

Hwy 20 is closed from Sulphur Bank Road to Hwy 53, according to Caltrans QuickMap.

Hwy 20 closed

Red barriers show where Hwy 20 is closed. [Screenshot from Caltrans QuickMap]

UPDATE 5 p.m.: Most of you will be able to see this video posted on Facebook: Click here.

Photos here:

UPDATE 5:37 p.m.: Sheriff Brian Martin gives an update on conditions and says, “things are looking good.” He did point out thought that “it’s too early to say that it has stopped or is under control.”

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Cal Fire just tweeted that the fire is believed to be about 25 acres.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: Cal Fire just tweeted, The fire ” is 15 acres 70% contained. Acreage change due to better mapping.”

Cal Trans has reopened Hwy 20 and traffic is moving freely.

 

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27 Comments
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Seamus
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Seamus
3 years ago

I disagree with the naming of fires after whatever they feel like. Wouldn’t the Clearlake fire be a much more helpful name? The Catholic fire gives absolutely no helpful information to anyone outside of the command structure of Calfire.

Buck
Guest
Buck
3 years ago
Reply to  Seamus

Thats not how it works. They are pre named by location. Roads or landmarks.

Mark McKenna
Guest
Mark McKenna
3 years ago
Reply to  Seamus

Fires are not named after whatever they want. They name the fires after landmarks or roads near the origin of the fire where they establish the incident command. In this case it was the intersection of highway 20 and Catholic Church road. In addition they are trying to fight a fire not think of a name that might not bum you out.

Seamus
Guest
Seamus
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark McKenna

OK so we have two votes for Catholic fire over Clearlake fire? So without looking it up can you tell me where the Potter fire is. How about where the Lake Oroville fire is?

They are the same fire.

Itene orum
Guest
Itene orum
3 years ago
Reply to  Seamus

This person has a good point trying to look up by the name of the fire is laborious it makes it harder to find info

Willie Bray
Guest
3 years ago

🕯🌳Thank you Kym for keeping us updated and informed. 👍🏽

Smokey Boone
Guest
Smokey Boone
3 years ago

I too disagree with the naming of the fires. Before commencing any further activities, emergency responders should hold a community event to decide on a name. Even in the act of defending their community and putting their lives on the line, I find their lack of consideration for all groups rude and potentially damaging to my children.

Thanks for the first responders for keeping us safe.

Erik
Guest
Erik
3 years ago
Reply to  Smokey Boone

I agree. Today, near us, a fire broke out that was hastily named the ” Hobo” fire, with no collective community input. The name just reinforces old tropes and incorrect stereotypes of our fellow de-homed and indoor impaired citizens. I was crestfallen at the callous disregard for human dignity displayed by agencies who are supposed to be serving and helping our communities. This is yet another blatent example of systemic bias that needs redress.

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
3 years ago
Reply to  Erik

The west fork of the east fork of the north fork Trinity would have been more appropriate.

Erik
Guest
Erik
3 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

Hahaha, when i have people meet me at the swim holes there i like to use that word salad to confuse them for a sec. I was going to hike up above little paradise tomorrow afternoon, but the road is probably closed. I hope they contain it soon.

Frank Vaughan
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Erik

You can hike above little paradise. The road closure is 3 miles above that

longwind
Guest
longwind
3 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

There’s one reason I’d like to live on the North Fork of the East Branch of the South Fork of the Eel RIver, and I just said it.

Jeanne welch
Guest
Jeanne welch
3 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

Haha 🙃

Michael Rees
Guest
Michael Rees
3 years ago
Reply to  Smokey Boone

lmao

stuber
Guest
stuber
3 years ago
Reply to  Smokey Boone

There are billions of Catholics and Christians in the world. They build hospitals, colleges, and do so much for the poor. If you are offended by Christians, or are “frightened”, really?, go to a Muslim country. The beauty of our great nation, is that we are all allowed, all our beliefs protected, and our speech to convey those beliefs also. Millions have died to protect these freedoms. We will not surrender our faiths and our freedoms for a few weak individuals. Maybe try and educate yourself for real, and go help a Christian charity, like the Red Cross, The Samaritan’s purse, and other frightening groups who help addicts and the poor, and the disenfranchised.

Tucker Carlson bedtime stories?
Guest
Reply to  stuber

Why so defensive stoob? The word “frightened” 1st showed up in your comment. Who was asking you to surrender your faith and freedoms? Nobody here!

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
3 years ago
Reply to  stuber

Muslims beliefs are protected here, too. Besides freedom of religion, we also need freedom FROM religion. And please send a memo to the Republican Convention folks about separation of church and state. I’m tired of millionaire tax cheats going on about God. Particularly the ones with orange hair that have never set foot inside a church and couldn’t quote a bible passage if their life depended on it.

RD
Guest
RD
3 years ago

Fires are named in the initial dispatch and they utilize nearby landmarks or street names.

Joe
Guest
Joe
3 years ago

Quit being so sensitive. Fires are named based on where they start. This one started near Catholic Church Rd. thus the name. Bunch of babies

Michael Rees
Guest
Michael Rees
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

And don’t mess with our firefighters, right.
LOL Great comment Joe

Jon
Guest
Jon
3 years ago

I was driving to Sacramento passing through that area today on hwy 20 around the time the fire started and around the place it started when I passed a RV that looked to be shooting fire and embers from the muffler or something . It sprayed my truck with hot embers. It was about a few minutes later the fire engines were on alert.

Hal
Guest
Hal
3 years ago
Reply to  Jon

Next time, I hope you decide to report that before it has a chance to start a fire. Even dragging chains during towing can start a fire. Thank you. Good luck.

Michael Rees
Guest
Michael Rees
3 years ago

Actually it was very helpful, I work at a facility that borders Catholic Church Rd. where thanks to the quick action of the first responders we were able to safely evacuate over 25 clients to a safe destination before anything bad happened. Cudos to the firefighters for such strong work as always. We are so grateful.

AND Seamus you might find that Lake County residents don’t respond well to any negative responses to or about our valued, no, treasured firefighters. The fire was aptly named after an adjoining road and anyone who knows the area knew exactly where it was.

yesmeagain
Guest
yesmeagain
3 years ago

I think Smokey Boone was joking there; so, don’t be too sensitive about people being too sensitive… this way madness lies…. And probably not everyone knows how fires are named, and sometimes they seem odd. I think the actual complaint was that the names don’t always tell people much about where the fire is. The “Ranch” fire in 2018 started on a ranch, but there are a zillion ranches in the area, so…. Nobody ever suggested the name demeaned ranchers, even though a rancher accidentally started the fire, and ranchers are known to be sensitive to disrespect, too.
But FAR more important than the name is the fast and thorough response by firefighters! I live about 15 miles away, saw three fire trucks roar out of the local FPD (down the street from our house) at about 4 pm to join the response. We are all so grateful here.

Michael Rees
Guest
Michael Rees
3 years ago

Thanks Kim. But really thanks to ALL the first responders.

Ebonyqueen
Guest
3 years ago

We, here in Clearlake and Clearlake oaks, Lower Lake Communties, are very thankful, we put up with fire mess every year, like it is said they name it where it starts, they don’t have time to call you in the community and ask come on, I know you can’t be thinking, we been here for over 30 years, we love our firefighters and etc. have a good day. We are a carrying county.