[UPDATE 4:26 p.m.: Hwy 29 Closed] Immediate Threat to Several Hundred Structures, Evacuations Underway in Lower Lake as Fire Burns Near Dam Road and Highway 53

Beginning at approximately 12:40 p.m., scanner traffic and the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information indicate that a fire burning near the intersection of Dam Road and Highway 53 in Lower Lake has initiated evacuations of nearby residences.

A responding unit described heavy winds stoking the flames to a “large fire” resulting in the evacuation of apartments and “everything east of the fire.”

As of 12:56 p.m., The Incident Commander reports that several buildings being impacted as a result of the fire. The fire was described as already being to Wilkinson Street

Firefighters are running from door-to-door encouraging residents to evacuate immediately. Multiple mobile homes are reportedly burning and firefighters have been ordered to leave the area.

UPDATE 1:07 p.m.: The Incident Commander is reporting the fire is now 30 acres and an immediate threat to several hundred structures.

A woman reported she was stuck inside the trailer

CHP has been requested to help evacuate two juveniles who are reportedly immobile in the area.

Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.

UPDATE 1:11 p.m.: Scanner traffic is incredibly chaotic as first responders are going door-to-door responding to reports of individuals stuck inside their homes as the fire burns around them.

The Incident Commander is reporting that 15-20 homes are currently burning and are expanding the evacuation zones. There have reportedly been multiple propane explosions in and around the structures.

The formal evacuation order was issued by Clear Lake Police Department as seen in the screenshot below.

UPDATE 1:21 p.m.: Lower Lake Elementary School is now being evacuating as the fire continues to spread.

There is one air attack and one tanker currently over the fire.

Aircraft circling the fire at 1:21 p.m. [Screenshot from FlightRadar]

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: The Lake County Sheriff’s Department issued a Nixle here.

UPDATE 1:46 p.m.: The Incident commander reports that the fire is about 40 acres approximately two dozen structures on fire. One air ambulance needed for an elderly burn victim and one ground ambulance requested for the mobile home park.

UPDATE 1:53 p.m.: A firefighter is reporting over the scanner that approximately 200 civilians are in the path of the fire currently at Lower Lake Elementary School.

UPDATE 1:57 p.m.: Evacuation Orders have been initiated for Spruce Grove Road. Fire personnel are going to start going door-to-door to encourage residents to leave. As per a Nixle sent out by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, an evacuation shelter has been established at Kelseyville High School.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: According to the scanner, “All children have been evacuated out of the parking lot [at the elementary school].”

UPDATE 2:06 p.m.: Here is the evacuation map that has been activated:

UPDATE 2:10 p.m.: Due to too much traffic going into the fire area, CHP is going to be initiating hard closures in the area including one at the intersection of Highway 53 and Highway 29.

UPDATE 2:19 p.m.: Daniel Swain, weather scientist, tweeted this,

Radar imagery unfortunately showing a distinct and strengthening smoke plume on #CacheFire, which is burning through the WUI and hopscotching between subdivisions and vegetated areas within SE Clearlake & Lower Lake. Strong N/NEly winds pushing fire to S/SW. #CAwx #CAfire pic.twitter.com/nCGY1OGMTh

— Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) August 18, 2021

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: Here is the evacuation map that has been activated:

Newest Evacuation map

Update 2:40 p.m.: The Incident Commander requested Animal Control for “numerous burned livestock and pets.”

UPDATE 3 p.m.: Here is the latest evacuation map that has been activated:

Newest Evacuation map 3 p.m.

UPDATE 3:20 p.m.: According to the Incident Commander, The fire now is moving slowly but is now about 100 acres.

UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: The Incident Commander reports that forward progress has been stopped. Caution that this doesn’t mean the fire is out. Evacuation orders are still in effect. But some air resources are being released back to their home units. Cautiously hopeful is the mood of the moment.

UPDATE 4:21 p.m.: Caltrans tweeted, “TRAFFIC ALERT: State Route 29 is fully closed from its intersection with Route 53 to Kits Corner due to fire. No estimated time for reopening. This is a dynamic situation and we will provide updates as they become available.”

UPDATE 4:26 p.m.: From the Lake County Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page,

Road Closures at at the following locations:
Lake St @ Dam RD
Dam Rd @ Jack in the Box
N/B HWY53 @ HWY 29
Main St in Lower Lake @ HWY 53 and HWY 29
N/B HWY 29 @ Spruce Grove North
Point Lakeview Rd @ Soda Bay Rd
S/B HWY 29 @ Soda Bay Rd
S/B HWY 29 @ Siegler Canyon Rd
S/B HWY 53 @ Dam Rd
Shelter Location has been established at Kelseyville High School.

UPDATE 4:54 p.m.: Help for those affected by the fires. Photo by Mark McKenna

UPDATE: Hundreds of Residents Fled Their Homes as the Cache Fire in Lake County Spread Devastation in Its Wake