Evacuations are being requested this afternoon after a fire ignited near Clearlake.
The #ParkFire began near the intersection of 18th Avenue and Highway 53 and what initially was reported as one acre, subsequent reports on the fire’s condition describe it crossing Highway 53 and significantly spotting.
There are reports of power lines down in the area
Multiple fire agencies and law enforcement are converging on the area to fight the flames and respond to the developing incident.
UPDATE 1:35 p.m. Road closures are being established near Highway 53 and Walmart in Clearlake.
UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: Mandatory evacuations are underway of the Highlands Village, a densly populated apartment complex on the 6000 block of Old Highway 53.
UPDATE 1:46 p.m.: An Incident Commander provided an updated report on conditions. The Park Fire estimated to be 3-5 acres in size burning in oakwoodland. The fire is surrounded on three sides by road hindering its growth in those areas.
A Nixle Alert issued by the Clearlake Police Department provides a more detailed breakdown of the mandatory evacuation area:
MANDATORY EAVACUATIONS FOR CLEAR LAKE VILLAGE AREA - LAKEVIEW DR, MEADOWBROOKS, DR , HIGHLANDS HARBOR DR, WOODSIDE DR, AND ALL CONNECTING STREETS TO THE VILLAGE. THS ALSO INCLUDES ALL RESIDENSES ON OLD HWY 53 TO WEST OF OLD HWY 53 AND LAKEVIEW WAY
UPDATE 1:55 p.m.: One tanker was released from the Park Fire and the air attack commander reported the fire was looking good.
The fire as seen in the Mt. Konocti camera looks like it has diminished significantly. Evacuations are still in place
UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: More air tankers are being release from the incident as firefighters gain control.
The PG&E Outage map indicates that at least 576 customers are without power near the burn area.
This video was sent to us by Elaine Merritt, a Lower Lake resident.
UPDATE 2:08 p.m.: An Incident Commaner reported the fire’s spread has stopped and is holding at 5 acres.
UPDAGE 2:45 p.m.: All of the firefighting aircraft have been release from the Park Fire.
This footage grabbed from the Buckingham Peak Alert Wildfire Camera shows the fires early moments, it swell in size, and the fire come under control as firefighters converged.
UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: The Clearlake Police Department posted on its Facebook page the mandatory evacuations are expected to last two more hours as firefighters mop up the burn area.
UPDATE 4:40 p.m.: According to the latest Clearlake Police Department Nixle alert, “FIRE EVACUATIONS LIFTED. ROAD CLOSURE ON OLD HWY 53 BETWEEN AIRPORT RD AND LAKEVIEW WAY REMAINS IN EFFECT.”
UPDATE 5:43 p.m.: Coral Leigh Photography, named after the talent young woman behind the camera, shared with us shots of firefighters beating back the Park Fire today.
Coral Leigh is quite the talent, check her out here and hit her up for special events, weddings, portraits, or other photography needs.
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.
