A vegetation fire ignited this afternoon, October 2, 2024, along Highway 20 near Potter Valley Road, prompting evacuation warnings and road closures, according to authorities. An airborne firefighter reported the fire is 3 acres in size and growing at a moderate rate of spread.
Scanner traffic and the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information Page indicates the fire was first reported around 2:19 p.m. and is burning along the north side of Highway 20, with a steep slope contributing to its spread. The California Highway Patrol has closed eastbound lanes of Highway 20 near Marina Drive as crews work to contain the blaze.
Evacuation warnings have been issued for the Elledge Ranch Road area, and situational awareness advisories have been sent to nearby residents. It also spread to the south side of Highway 20.
UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: Door-to-door evacuation warnings have been completed for the Elledge Ranch Road area, according to radio traffic reports. Westbound traffic on Highway 20 has been halted at the intersection with Potter Valley Road as firefighting efforts continue.
UPDATE 3:24 p.m.: The fire’s forward progress has been stopped.
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.
It looks like the fire is on the south side of Highway 20 from all other reports and the photographs.