[UPDATE 10:07 p.m.: Video Overview of the Fire] Ridge Fire Northeast of Clear Lake Already in the Hundreds of Acres

The Walker Ridge camera in the Alert California network is showing a large column of black smoke. Vulture watch nearby.

A fire, called the #RidgeFire northeast of Clear Lake near the Lake-Colusa county border, that was first spotted about 4:30 p.m. was judged by air resources to already be somewhere around 250-300 acres by 4:37 p.m. when they were overhead. Repeaters are threatened as are structures. Most worrying, the Incident Commander believes there may be hunters trapped already.

The flames are wind driven and spreading rapidly with spotting out ahead of the main fire.

Evacuations are needed for Walker Ridge area and the Wilbur Hotsprings area, the Incident Commander said over the radio. He’s requesting the Colusa County Sheriff for that.

Air resources warn that the fire has the potential to impact the Double Eagle Ranch multiple resources are being dispatched to fight the new blaze. This is probably going top Walker Ridge and go into Colusa County, firefighters are reporting.

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 5:04 p.m.: CAL FIRE LNU tweeted,

#RidgeFire UPDATE: The fire is approximately 300 acres. The wind driven fire is traveling up Walker Ridge headed into Colusa County. There are currently 19 engines, two crews, five dozers, six fixed-winged aircraft and two helicopters responding. pic.twitter.com/yTNn1g7fmg

— CAL FIRE LNU (@CALFIRELNU) July 20, 2024

UPDATE 5:16 p.m.: FireMappers shows the following as the rough area of the Ridge Fire.

Ridge Fire on FireMappers.

UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: Air attack is reporting that power lines are arcing and need to powered down.

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Another view of the Ridge Fire:

Retardant is laid down ahead of the Ridge Fire. [Image from a reader]

UPDATE 7:27 p.m.: Hwy 20 has been closed from Jct Route 53 South to Colusa County Line, according to QuickMap.

Cal Fire LNU reports,

Crews continue battling the #RidgeFire, which is pushing northeast and is approaching Bear Valley Road. It is approximately 2,500 acres.

There are 29 engines, seven dozers, six crews, seven fixed-winged aircraft and five helicopters on the fire. Approximately 300 personnel. pic.twitter.com/8kjnCPoAD3

— CAL FIRE LNU (@CALFIRELNU) July 21, 2024

Although this map from Cal Fire LNU is already out of date, it is still helpful to get an idea of the area of the fire.

UPDATE 8 p.m.:

and this video showing people trying to escape the fire.

This footage was taken by a motorist in very close proximity to the Ridge Fire, which at the time we published this video is now 2,500 acres in size and growing. Video provided by Ulises Quintero Mota.

UPDATE 8:08 p.m.: Caltrans is now reporting, “In Colusa county, highway 20 is closed at the 20/16 junction and in Williams, due to a large grass fire. There is no estimated time of clearing.”

UPDATE 8:33 p.m.: CAL FIRE LNU posted this video:

Video is from Boggs Copter 601 on the #RidgeFire.

Priorities tonight are to hold the fire west of Bear Valley Rd, south of Brim Rd & at HWY 20 on the south side. The fire is still traveling NE. Firefighters are expecting a potential wind shift at sundown, coming from the north. pic.twitter.com/rTcL2q81nt

— CAL FIRE LNU (@CALFIRELNU) July 21, 2024

UPDATE 9:53 p.m.: Cal Fire LNU states, “The #RidgeFire is 2,304 acres after being mapped at 9:25 pm by @FIRIS . It is 10% contained. We will have 3 helicopters conducting night water dropping operations, focusing on the north end. Ground resources will be heavily focused on keeping the fire west of Bear Valley Rd.

The #RidgeFire is 2,304 acres after being mapped at 9:25 pm by @FIRIS. It is 10% contained.

We will have 3 helicopters conducting night water dropping operations, focusing on the north end. Ground resources will be heavily focused on keeping the fire west of Bear Valley Rd. pic.twitter.com/T6h76e0NY8

— CAL FIRE LNU (@CALFIRELNU) July 21, 2024

UPDATE 10:07 p.m.: This gives a great overview of the fire.

OES Intel 12, July 20 on the #RidgeFire. Fire mapped at 2,304 acres at 21:30 hours pic.twitter.com/je5Ewxzh9m

— Cal OES FIRIS (@FIRIS) July 21, 2024

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