[UPDATE Saturday: 20% Contained] Evacuations Underway as New Fire Erupts in Lake County

A vegetation fire broke out around 11:45 a.m. today in the Glenhaven area of Lake County, east of Highway 20. The blaze, which has already spread to about 10 acres as of 12:11 p.m., is being battled by multiple fire crews. Firefighters are also working to contain a spot fire that has ignited about a quarter mile to the east.

There is a structure threat and multiple spots near the main fire. Evacuations are started at Henderson and Hillcrest.

At 12:05 p.m., fire personnel on the scene reported, “We’re starting to get spots,” indicating the fire’s potential for rapid spread in the dry, hilly terrain.

There is a Red Flag warning in effect for the fire prone area. Lake County OES warns, “Very low humidity along with gusty westerly winds will result in critical fire weather conditions this afternoon…”

CAL FIRE’s LNU unit provided an update: “Firefighters are at [a]… vegetation fire on a hillside off Harvey Blvd in Glenhaven, Lake County. There has been additional spotting 1/4 to the east. There are 12 engines, two hand crews, two dozers, four aircraft, and two helicopters responding.”

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 12:23 p.m.: “The fire has at least doubled in size,” the Incident Commander reports over the scanner. He says there are multiple spots and multiple structures threatened. He requested evacuations down Highway 20 to High Valley Road and Cerrito(?) Road.

Travelers should expect traffic to be slow through the area as people try to evacuate.

UPDATE 12:32 p.m.: The Incident Commander reports the fire is at least 50 acres now.

UPDATE 12:34 p.m.: The IC is calling for west and eastbound Highway 20 to be shut down.

UPDATE 12:37 p.m.: The Genasys Evacuation map has been activated. This is the current showing on the map. Check here for the latest information.

UPDATE 12:46 p.m.: About a half hour ago, Cal Fire tweeted, “There has been a significant augmentation of resources – there are now 18 engines, 5 dozers, 2 hand crews, 3 helicopters & 6 total fixed-winged aircraft ordered to the response. The fire is approximately 10 acres burning up slope with multiple spot fires.” They are also confirming the 50 acres heard over the scanner.

The Incident Commander reported that there is a new spot fire “two ridges out” with 1 structure immediately threatened.

UPDATE 1:06 p.m.: Spot fires continue to be an issue for fire fighters with a new spot fire discovered off the 11000 block of Pingree Road. First reports indicate the spot fire is approximately 100 feet x 100 feet.

A new evacuation warning has been issued for Zone CLO-E057. Please be ready to leave at a moment’s notice if you live in the area.

Scanner traffic indicates that fire personnel have requested High Valley Road be closed by Public Works employees due to the fire.

UPDATE 1:14 p.m.: Update from the intel aircraft maps the fire at 123 acres as of 1:14 p.m. Scanner traffic indicates that the left flank is making a run for it and two structures are immediately threatened near the left heel of the fire.

Incident command is making requests for nighttime air support to make sure support is available if needed later.

UPDATE 1:23 p.m.: According to scanner traffic and the Caltrans QuickMap, Highway 20 has a hard closure in place from the intersection of High Valley Road and the Hwy 53 round-a-bout, east of Clearlake Oaks. Signs are in place, however, according to the CHP log, there are not enough units to man the closures.

Additional aircraft have been requested to the right heel of the fire that is flaring up.

UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: Scanner traffic indicates fervent fire activity with fire personnel alerting command that a dozer line had to be abandoned due to fire activity, suggesting that a subsequent line should be plowed on the next ridgeline.

Two additional spots were reported in that area, one five acres in size, and the other, approximately 1 acre. Tankers have been requested to target the spot fires.

Additional evacuation warnings have been issued near the right heel of the fire in Zones CLO-E099 & CLO-E106. To view the more particulars on evacuation zones and instructions, visit protect.genasys.com.

UPDATE 1:50 p.m.: Air Attack relayed that aircraft, including 5 tankers, will continue to work the fire from head to heel, stating the heel was holding. Additionally, the fire is now estimated to be 200 acres in size as of 1:49 p.m.

The IC put in a request for a Sonoma County Task Force, preferably a type 3.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: Door to door evacuations continue as fire personnel on both the ground and air battle the Glenhaven Fire. Spot fires continue to be a problem for firefighters with an earlier column had fiery debris falling from it.

According to scanner traffic, a spot fire was reported in a backyard off Lakeview Drive, with residents attempting to battle the blaze as personnel were diverted to the spot for immediate structure protection. Aircraft support was requested with the pilot encouraging the ground crews to continue “keep spraying until you us come by”, highlighting the immediate threat to structures and the effort to prevent property and life loss.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: A fire has been reported southeast of the Glenhaven Fire in the area of Spruce Grove Road and Hwy 29, dubbed the Spruce Fire. The new fire comes under the red flag warning and moments after the Incident Commander requested a “No Divert” of four air tankers, citing immediate threat to life.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: The Spruce Fire has been extinguished, freeing up much-needed resources in the area as additional resources are requested to the Glenhaven Fire. Two Type-1 Helicopters have been requested in addition to Type-3 units out of Napa County. These requests were made as the fire pushes east prompting evacuation orders and warnings being suggested for five additional zones.

Evacuation Orders – Go Now:

• GLE-E072
• GLE-E094
• CLO-E073
• CLO-E082
• CLO-E098
• CLO-E099
• CLO-E102
• CLO-E106
• CLO-E107

Evacuation Warnings – Prepare to go at a moment’s notice:

• CLO-E057
• CLO-E079

UPDATE 2:44 p.m.: The latest information puts the Glenhaven Fire at 221.9 acres as fire personnel battle multiple spot fires as the blaze remains uncontained. Helicopters are attempting to save a dozer line to the east, however, it is suspected that the line will need to be abandoned as the fire pushes east.

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: Watch Duty is reporting that FIRIS INTEL 12 has mapped the Glenhaven Fire at 293.5 Acres.

For the first time, command stated that crews were “getting a handle on it”, though spotting and the wind continues to test the firefighters.

Additional resources continue to be ordered, included two helicopters equipped with night vision, set to arrive at the Glenhaven Fire at 6:30 p.m.

Temporary evacuation shelters have been set up; the North shelter located at the Lucerne Senior Center, located at 3985 Country Club Drive in Lucerne; the South shelter is located at the Old Airport Property, located at 6820 Old Hwy 53 in Clearlake.

UPDATE 4:10 p.m.: According to a post on Facebook from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, an evacuation shelter has been established at the Twin Pine Casino & Hotel, located at 22223 Hwy 29, in Middletown. According to the post, the evacuation shelter opened at 4 p.m.

UPDATE 4:34 p.m.:

According to scanner traffic, the Glenhaven Fire is holding at approximately 300 acres. There continues to be spotting to the east due to westerly wind influence, but crews are currently mitigating spot fires as they arise.

Two structures have been destroyed at this point, over 2500 structures remain threatened. Over 3000 residents have been impacted due to the blaze.

UPDATE 5:10 p.m.:

Latest update from CAL FIRE:

 

UPDATE 5:48 p.m.: CAL FIRE states that the fire is now 403 acres. An updated 3D map is embedded below.

UPDATE 6:50 p.m.:

Fire activity appears to be diminished according to the cameras on Alert California system.

Some evacuation orders have been reduced or lifted. According to the Genasys Protect map, Zone GLE-E094 has been split into two zones, A & B. Please click here for the interactive map.

The following zones remain under evacuation orders:

• GLE-E094-B
• CLO-E098
• CLO-E099
• CLO-E106

The following zones are under an evacuation warning:

• GLE-E072
• GLE-E094-A
• CLO-E073
• CLO-E082
• CLO-E102

The following zones have had evacuation warnings lifted:

• CLO-E057
• CLO-E079
• CLO-E107

Additionally, Highway 20 has reopened according to Caltrans District 1.

UPDATE 8:41 p.m.: A little good news from CAL FIRE LNU:

#GlenhavenFire UPDATE: Crews from E1466 rescued a dog that was roaming within the perimeter of the fire. The crew provided water and safely removed our four legged friend to safety. Contact Animal Control at (707)263-0278 if you are missing an animal. pic.twitter.com/4nITynqsne

— CAL FIRE LNU (@CALFIRELNU) October 5, 2024

UPDATE 9:13 p.m.: CAL FIRE LNU updated with images and information on the fire:

Aerial firefighting operations on the #GlenhavenFire included 7 airtankers, 2 air tactical aircraft & 12 helicopters.

This video is from the Sonoma Air Attack Base, which loaded 54,000 gallons of fire retardant. Boggs Copter 601 delivered 42,000 gallons of water itself Friday. pic.twitter.com/6N6ofljucb

— CAL FIRE LNU (@CALFIRELNU) October 5, 2024

UPDATE 10 p.m.: CAL FIRE LNU tweeted, “Forward progress of the fire has been stopped and it is now 10% contained. It’s held at 403 acres. Firefighters will remain at scene overnight working on fortifying control lines & beginning the process of mopping up…Expect a heavy presence of firefighters in the area for several days.

UPDATE Saturday: CAL FIRE LNU reports,