The three Lightning Complex groups are made up of multiple fires burning thousands of acres across several counties in California, with thousands of residents under evacuation orders and warnings.
Governor Gavin Newsom has secured two Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) from FEMA, ensuring the availability of resources to suppress the LNU Lightning Complex Fire burning in Napa County, as well as the Jones Fire in Nevada County.
Newsom declared a statewide emergency on Tuesday, saying in a statement: “We are deploying every resource available to keep communities safe as California battles fires across the state during these extreme conditions.
“California and its federal and local partners are working in lockstep to meet the challenge and remain vigilant in the face of continued dangerous weather conditions.”
LNU Lightning Complex
The LNU Lightning Complex has burned 124,100 acres across five counties and is 0 percent contained. It is made up of several fires, including Hennessey Fire, Gamble Fire, Green Fire, Spanish Fire, and Markley Fire, none of which are contained.
Cal Fire said: “Extreme fire behavior with short and long-range spotting are continuing to challenge firefighting efforts.
“Fires are making runs in multiple directions and impacting multiple communities. A critically dry airmass is moving over the area bringing strong winds.”
So far, 70 structures have been damaged and 105 destroyed by the fires in the LNU Lightning Complex. There are two agencies, nine crews and 587 personnel working to control the fires in the LNU Complex.
Hennessey Fire
The Hennessey Fire is burning on Hennessey Ridge Road in Napa County. The fire is currently burning 100,000 acres and has destroyed one structure and two outbuildings.
Gamble Fire
The Gamble Fire is burning at Berryessa Knoxville Road, West of Brooks, and is currently burning 13,000 acres.
Green Fire
The Green Fire is burning near Putah Creek Bridge/Berryessa Knoxville Rd and is currently burning 8,000 acres.
Spanish Fire
The Spanish Fire is burning near Spanish Flat and is currently burning 4,100 acres.
Markley Fire
The Markley Fire is burning near Monticello dam and is currently burning 5,000 acres.
Morgan Fire
The Morgan Fire is currently burning 3,500 acres.
Wallbridge Fire
The Wallbridge Fire is burning west of Healdsburg in Sonoma County and is currently burning 14,000 acres.
Meyers Fire
The Meyers Fire is burning north of Jenner and is currently burning 2,500 acres.
Napa County Evacuations
Evacuation orders are in place in the following areas of Napa County due to the LNU Lightning Complex fires:
Highway 128 from Lower Chiles Valley Road to Monticello RoadHighway 128 from Chiles Pope Valley Road to Lower Chiles Valley RoadChiles Pope Valley Road from Highway 128 to Lower Chiles Valley RoadAll of Hennessey Ridge Road. From Moskowite Corner to Wooden Valley Rd, Including the community of Circle OaksAtlas Peak from the Bubbling Well Pet Cemetary at 2462 Atlas Peak Rd to the dead endFrom Loma Vista Rd/Soda Canyon Rd to the dead end. All of Steele Canyon Rd from Hwy 128 to and including the Berryessa Highlands Sub DivisonWragg Canyon Rd: From Hwy 128 to the end of the road, including Pleasure Cove ResortChiles Pope Valley Road: From Lower Chiles Valley Road to Pope Canyon RoadHighway 121 (Monticello Road) – from Wooden Valley Road to Silverado TrailPope Valley Road: From Aetna Springs Road to Chiles Pope Valley RoadAetna Springs Road: From Pope Valley to the dead endButts Canyon Road: From Aetna Springs Road to the Lake County LineJames Creek Road: From Butts Canyon Road to the dead endHighway 121 (Monticello Road): From Wooden Valley Road to Vichy Ave
Sonoma County Evacuations
Evacuation orders are in place in the following areas of Sonoma County due to the LNU Lightning Complex fires:
North of Austin Creek Recreational AreaEast of The CedarsMill Creek Road west of the intersection of Puccioni RoadSouth of Stewarts Point Skaggs Springs RoadSouth of Stewarts Point Skaggs Springs RoadWest of West Dry Creek Road and Westside RoadNorth of Sweetwater Springs Road and McCray Ridge RoadEast of the East Austin Creek (the actual creek)The Evacuation Order on Monticello Road from Vichy Ave to Silverado Trail is now an Evacuation Warning. Ink Grade: From Pope Valley Road to White Cottage RoadHowell Mountain Road: From Pope Valley Road to White Cottage Road
Lake County Evacuations
Evacuation orders are in place in the following areas of Lake County due to the LNU Lightning Complex fires:
Eastside of Highway 29: North of the Napa/Lake County line up to the Southern Intersection of Highway 29/St Helena Creek Road (Across from the Twin Pine Casino)All of St Helena Creek Road: To the Highway 29/St Helena Creek Road/Butts Canyon IntersectionThis Evacuation Order does not include the Middletown proper
Evacuation Centers in California
The following evacuation centers have been set up for those who need to evacuate their homes:
Crosswalk Community Church, 2590 First Street, Napa, CA 94558A Place to Play, 2375 West 3rd St, Santa Rosa, CASchopflin Fields, 4351 Old Redwood Highway, Santa Rosa, CAVets Memorial Beach, 13839 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, CAWestside Park, 2400 Westshore Rd, Bodega Bay, CARagle Ranch, 500 Ragle Rd, Sebastopol, CAA Temporary Evacuation Point is set up at the old airstrip off of Hwy 53 in Clearlake, Lake County. Animal Evacuation Center: Napa County Animal Shelter, 942 Hartle Court, Napa, CA 94559
SCU Lightning Complex
The SCU Lightning Complex is made up of several fires burning in Santa Clara County, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Joaquin County, and Stanislaus County.
The fires are broken into three zones; the Canyon Zone, the Calaveras Zone, and the Deer Zone. They have collectively burned 102,000 acres and are 5 percent contained.
On Wednesday night, Cal Fire said that the fires “continue to burn in steep, rugged terrain and are influenced by extreme temperatures and low relative humidity. Some of the terrain has little to no fire history with decadent fuels conducive to extreme fire growth.
“Today, smoke and haze kept the inversion in place for much of the day. Westerly winds increased throughout the day with gusts up to 30 mph observed. "
Cal Fire also said that: “Crews were actively engaged in structure defense all day. Fire perimeter and control efforts have been hampered by extreme fire behavior and accessibility issues.
“Tonight, crews will continue to scout for safe access points and build direct and indirect fire line where possible. Crews will also look to strengthen and patrol existing containment lines on the smaller lightning fires.”
Deer Zone
The Deer Zone is burning in Contra Costa County and is made up of the Round Fire, Palm Fire, Marsh Fire, and Briones Fire.
Calaveras Zone
The Calaveras Zone is burning in Alameda County, Santa Clara County, and Stanislaus County, and is made up of the Kilkare Fire, Arroyo Fire, Mill Creek Fire, Welch Fire, Ohlone Fire, and Reservoir Fire.
Canyon Zone
The Canyon Zone is burning in Stanislaus County and San Joaquin County, and is made up of the Peg Leg Fire, Terraville Fire, Del Puerto Fire, and Peach Fire.
Evacuation orders are in place in areas of Santa Clara County, Alameda County, and Stanislaus County:
Santa Clara County Evacuations
There are evacuation orders in the following areas of Santa Clara County due to the SCU Lightning Complex fires:
North of Hwy 130 to Santa Clara County LineWest of San Antonio Valley Rd. West of Mines Rd. to Santa Clara County LineEast of 3 Springs Rd. and Mt. Hamilton Rd. South of Santa Clara County Line
(Unincorporated area of Santa Clara County East of the City of San Jose)
East of Ed Levin County Park, Felter Rd. , Sierra Rd. , Toyon Ave. and Mt. Hamilton Rd. to Three Springs Rd. North of Mt. Hamilton Rd. to Three Springs Rd. South of Santa Clara County LineWest of the Fire Perimeter
Alameda County/Stanislaus County Evacuation Orders
There are evacuation orders in the following areas of Alameda County and Stanislaus County due to the SCU Lightning Complex fires:
Frank Raines Park to Mines RoadDel Puerto Canyon Road 1 mile to Mines RoadAlameda County: All of Mines Road, south of Mile Marker 10 to the county lineStanislaus County: All Areas of Diablo Grande Parkway and the Diablo Grande Community
CZU August Lightning Complex
The CZU August Lightning Complex is burning across 25,000 acres in various locations across San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties and is 0 percent contained. Twenty structures have been destroyed and three people have been injured. Two agencies, ten crews and 591 personnel are working to control the CZU August Lightning Complex.
The CZU August Lightning Complex is made up of fires caused by lightning which are continuing to burn due to low relative humidities, high temperatures, and limited resources.
Communities in southern San Mateo County and northern Santa Cruz County are under evacuation orders or warnings, and more evacuations may become necessary over the next few days depending on fire activity.
Evacuation Orders in San Mateo County
There are evacuation orders in the following areas of San Mateo County due to the CZU August Lightning Complex fires:
Communities of Loma Mar and Dearborn Park AreaPescadero Creek County Park AreaButano Community areaButano State Park area including Barranca Knolls CommunityButano Creek DrainageSouth Skyline Blvd. area near Highway 9Russian Ridge Open Space Reserve areaMiddleton Tract areaPortola Redwoods State Park and the Portola Heights Community area
Evacuation Orders for Santa Cruz County
There are evacuation orders in the following areas of Santa Cruz County due to the CZU August Lightning Complex fires:
Waterman Gap Loop, Upper HWY 236, Boulder Creek Golf Course, Heartwood Hill, Lodge Road, Community of Little Basin, Lower China Grade, Upper China Grade, Community of Kings Hwy, Lower Jamison Creek, Gallion Heights, Fallen Leaf Neighborhood, Foxglove Lane. Saratoga Toll Road, San Lorenzo Park, Riverside Grove-Community of Teilh Drive, Wildwood Road. Everyone on Empire Grade Road, from Felton Empire north, all of Pine Flat Road, all of Ice Cream Grade, Bonny Doon Road, in between Pine Flat Road, Martin Road, and all associated side streets. Bonny Doon south of Ice Cream Grade, including Pine Flat Road South. Areas of Alba Road, Hubbard Gulch, and Fanning Grade.
Cal Fire says that firefighting resources are limited due to the number of fires burning throughout California and that they are also facing poor visibility due to smoke hampering aircraft operations.
Cal Fire is encouraging all residents of California to get ready to leave their homes in case of a wildfire. Cal Fire spokesperson Lynnette Round said on Wednesday: “My recommendation is that all the citizens in California be ready to go if there is a wildfire.
“Residents have to have their bags packed up with your nose facing out your driveway so you can leave quickly. Everybody should be ready to go, especially if you’re in a wildfire area.”
