Pawnee Fire: 12 Structures Destroyed In Lake County Blaze

LAKE COUNTY, CA -- A fast-growing wildfire this weekend in Northern California destroyed 12 structures and forced the evacuation of hundreds of people. By Sunday morning, the Pawnee Fire in Lake County was 1,500 acres and zero percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire said the blaze, which threatened another 600 acres, erupted at 5:21 p.m. near Pawnee and New Long Valley roads.

More than 230 firefighters were at the scene working to control the blaze driven by low humidity but erratic winds, fire officials said. Additional firefighting resources were enroute to the scene.

Mandatory evacuation orders were in effect for the entire Spring Valley community which includes all roads accessed off of Old Long Valley Road and New Long Valley Road, north of Highway 20. A shelter was established at Lower Lake High School at 9430 Lake Street.

The fire was one of a few to erupt in California this weekend. The Lane Fire erupted in Tehama County around 11:35 a.m. Saturday and grew to 3,000 acres by Sunday morning. It was 5 percent contained as of Sunday, according to Cal Fire.

About 200 people were evacuated in the Lane Fire, Cal Fire said.

For the latest evacuation information for the Pawnee Fire, visit the Lake County Sherirff Office’s website at www.lakesheriff.com/.

--Photo courtesy of Cal Fire