Aug. 23: The Claremont: Greenhorn, Spring Garden evacuating
UPDATE 10:30 p.m.: The Forest Service released the latest information on the Claremont Fire tonight and included acreage ranging from 15,656 acres to 17,317 acres and 2 percent containment.
It was already reported that the fire crossed the Middle Fork of the Feather River moving eastward towards Spring Garden. As a result, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Spring Garden and Greenhorn Ranch. Several helicopters assisted with overhead water drops to try and cool the flames while crews worked to knock down spot fires. Crews will continue to work overnight protecting structures and pushing the fire back if weather cooperates.
UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: New mandatory evacuations for Spring Garden and Greenhorn Ranch subdivision. Emergency responders are going door to door.
UPDATE 5:10 p.m.: The Forest Service just announced that the Claremont Fire crossed the Middle Fork of the Feather River and is aggressively moving to the east. Several helicopters are working the fire and 5 VLATs (Very Large Air Tankers) are on order.
UPDATE 5 p.m.: A mandatory evacuation notice has been issued for Highway 70 from Chandler Road East to Squirrel Creek near Lee Summit (also known as the road to Argentine) due to the Claremont Fire. There is an evacuation center established at Quincy High School. Evacuees will be allowed west through Highway 70 to evacuate to the center. Personnel are assisting with evacuations.
An evacuation advisory alert for Chandler Road residents from the east end of Highway 70 to Carol Lane East.
UPDATE 9 a.m.: Took a drive up La Porte Road this morning and can report that it was a good night for firefighters and homeowners. The overnight battalion chief said “the weather really cooperated and it was a quiet night” on the fire. Everything held as planned and the firing operation was a success.
In the La Porte staging area there were engines from Sacramento, Placerville and other areas, as well as a crew from Quincy Fire awaiting the day’s orders and the Plumas Hotshots headed to the Greenhorn area. All of the individuals interviewed said their primary orders are to protect people’s homes.
Traffic is being stopped at the edge of East Quincy where the California Highway Patrol and Caltrans are blocking the roadway. Forest Service law enforcement is staged at La Porte Road where there is a hard closure of Highway 70 in effect. CHP Officer James Stowe said that depending on the progression of the fire, there could be escorted travel through the area at some point, but for now it’s closed from La Porte Road to Spring Garden.
Original story: Residents in Quincy and along the Highway 70 corridor awoke this morning to smoky skies, closed roadways, advisory and mandatory evacuations, quickly spreading fire and the knowledge that thunder and lightning storms are forecast for tonight into tomorrow.
The Claremont Fire grew to 11,310 acres as of last night and had jumped Highway 70 at Massack making a direct run north. Sheriff Todd Johns reported last night that Chandler Road and the Greenhorn subdivision were not immediately threatened.
Power flickered, went out for awhile in Graeagle, and residents learned their internet fiber lines could go down.
Highway 70 is closed from La Porte Road to Spring Garden. Traffic is being stopped at Highway 70/89 in Blairsden and only those with IDs with addresses in the area are allowed to proceed. (This has been replaced by a sign alerting motorists that the highway is closed 18 miles away.)
The Forest Service will issue the latest information after its morning briefing and this story will be updated as soon as possible.
