Updated Sunday, 1:26p.m.
Eiler Fire Closes Highway 89; Day, Bald Fires Increase in Size
A lightning-caused fire in the Lassen National Forest’s Thousand Lakes Wilderness forced evacuation of homes in the Shasta County communities of Johnson Park, Cassel and Big Eddy Estates late yesterday, as firefighters continued to battle large fires in northeast California. An evacuation advisory is in place for the community of Burney.
Highway 89 remains closed this morning from the junction with Highway 44 at Old Station, north to the junction with Highway 299. Highway 299 was closed from a point 1.2 miles east of Burney to the junction with Highway 89.
The Eiler Fire south of Burney was reported at 23,000 acres late last night. It burned across Highway 89 in the Hat Creek Area and is now burning in heavy timber on both sides of the highway. Eight houses and 20 other structures were burned near the Honn Campground area. No injuries were reported. The fire moved northward yesterday, threatening communities.
The Thousand Lakes Wilderness and the Honn, Bridge and Rocky campgrounds along Highway 89 in the fire area are closed. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Highway 44 to Highway 299. Highway 89 is also closed from the junction with Highway 44 in Old Station north to the junction with Highway 299. Highway closure information is available from the California Department of Transportation at (800) 427-7623.
The Bald Fire, also on the Lassen National Forest, eight miles southeast of Fall River Mills, grew to 35,000 acres yesterday and forced evacuation of homes in the Little Valley area of northwest Lassen County. There have been no structures damaged or destroyed. The fire is burning heavy brush and scattered timber.
Evacuation Centers have been established at Fall River High School in McArthur and at Black Butte School near Shingletown.
Current fire information for the Eiler and Bald fires is available at (530) 336-6553 or 336-6494.
The Day Fire, near the community of Day northeast of Fall River Mills, is now 12,850 acres and is 25 percent contained. A mandatory evacuation is in place for homes in the Lookout Ranchettes. An evacuation center is established at the Adin Community Center on Main Street in Adin.
Evacuation information is available from the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 233-5342. Fire information for the Day Fire is available at (530) 638-3614.
All of the fires were started by thunderstorms on July 30 and 31. Numerous smaller fires have been contained.
Fire information is available at (530) 252-6450 and online at www.inciweb.nwcg.gov (Bald and Eiler) and www.cdfdata.fire.ca.gov (Day).
