The Chico Enterprise-Record (California)
FEATHER FALLS, Calif. — The Butte County Sheriff’s Office ordered immediate threat evacuations of several streets north of Lumpkin Road Tuesday, as the Craig Fire continued to grow.
Residents on Onyett, Cedar Creek, Mills Ranch, Island Bar Hill and Kanaka Ranch roads were notified that the fire, which has consumed more than 1,000 acres since Sunday, was moving their way.
Lumpkin Road was closed to all except emergency traffic at Happy Hollow Lane. The fire is burning northeast of Lake Oroville’s Craig Saddle Recreation Area.
Officials said up to 50 structures were immediately threatened.
An evacuation center has been set up at Oroville’s Church of the Nazarene, 2238 Monte Vista Ave., but officials noted that no animals will be accepted there.
Private arrangements should be made for small animals requiring shelter, or they may be taken to the Northwest Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Oroville. It can be reached at 533-7636.
Owners of large animals should make their own arrangements. There will be no large-animal evacuations after dark. If an evacuation is needed Wednesday, residents may call Butte County Animal Control at 538-7409.
The Craig Fire was estimated to be 30 percent contained on Tuesday, but officials were optimistic full containment could be achieved by tonight.
A new team that took over the fire Tuesday ordered additional ground and air resources, and reactivated an incident command center at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico.
More than 900 personnel had been assigned to the incident by Tuesday afternoon.
Concern that the fire had the potential of becoming a major incident arose when spot fires began showing up a half-mile ahead of the main blaze, and weather reports suggested stronger, erratic winds due to an approaching storm front later today.
A strong south wind could push the fire over a narrow stretch of Lake Oroville, toward Berry Creek.
“This is being fought in rugged, four-wheel drive country,” said Cal Fire-Butte County Capt. Scott McLean. “By the time ground crews reach a spot fire, it can be something much larger,” he said.
Three strike teams a total of 15 engines were ordered to the fire. A priority order was also placed for two additional Type 1 helicopters, with a water drop capacity of up to 400 gallons each.
Several air takers also made retardant drops throughout Monday and Tuesday.
Butte County hasn’t opened an emergency operations center yet, but is prepared to if the Craig Fire necessitates further evacuations.
Precautionary evacuation orders affecting other roads in the area remain in effect and have been extended to include Happy Hollow Lane and Union Bar Road.
Copyright 2008 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
All Rights Reserved