A sizable wildfire is burning east of the Lake County community of Clearlake Oaks this afternoon prompting firefighters to converge on the incident.
Law enforcement is being asked to respond for traffic control.
Scanner traffic began around 3:50 p.m. indicating the “Oaks Fire” is made up of multiple starts along State Route 20 in the area known as Double Eagle Ranch.
The Walker Ridge Fire Camera from Alert California shows multiple smoke columns growing in the area.
UPDATE 4:02 p.m: A helicopter pilot at the scene reported the incident involves two different fires totaling 25-30 acres of grass. The fire is reportedly growing at a moderate rate of spread driven by a moderate-strength wind.
UPDATE 4:06 p.m.: Scanner traffic indicates a closure of State Route 20 is imminent from the Lake County Line to New Long Valley Road.
UPDATE 4:11 p.m.: The Incident Commander provided an update on the Oak Fire. The flames are between State Route 20 and Cache Creek and currently stand at 15-20 acres. There is reportedly potential for spotting and the Incident Commander warned if the fire does spot it has the potential to grow to 500 acres.
UPDATE 4:26 p.m.: Air attack reported the “fire is looking good” as helicopters and tankers work the left flank of the incident. Images of the smoke from Walker Ridge show the columns of decreased in intensity.
UPDATE 4:34 p.m.: The Incident Commander reported the fire is holding at 15 acres but still has a substantial chance of spotting over the next hour.
UPDATE 4:40 p.m.: A spot fire has crossed the creek, according to fire personnel speaking over the scanner.
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.
There have been multiple fires in the area and nearby. I think we have an arsonist.
No update from today?