Crime & Safety

Jerusalem Fire Spreads, Now Burning In Napa County

Containment is at 6 percent as of Wednesday morning.

Photo via Al Franics of NapaSonomaPhotos.com

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Wednesday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m.

Find out what's happening in Beniciafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Jerusalem Fire grew to 16,500 acres overnight, and containment is at 6 percent, according to an update this morning from Cal Fire.

The fire which began in Lake County Sunday afternoon, has now crossed over into Napa County, as well. The cause is under investigation.

Find out what's happening in Beniciafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“The fire is burning in heavy vegetation, and the lack of improved roads continue to hamper fire suppression efforts,” Cal Fire said.

Personnel at the scene now total 1,660.

There are numeous evacuations and road closures. Details here.

Evacuation Centers are:

The Middletown High School, 415-307-4503

Animal Evacuation Center: Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection (LEAP), 707-263-0278.

Rocky Fire, meanwhile, remains at 88 percent containment, with 69,636 acres consumed, Cal Fire said. Crews at the blaze in Napa, Lake and Colusa counties total 773, as of this morning.

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Tuesday, Aug. 11, 9 a.m.

The Jerusalem Fire, burning in Lake County northeast of Middletown and near the Rocky fire, has consumed 12,000 acres as of this morning and is threatening 50 structures, according to Cal Fire.

Twenty-four hours ago, acreage burned was at 5,000.

No containment figures were released.

“The burning conditions slowed down overnight due to an increase in relative humidity and cooler temperatures,” the agency said. “The fire still remains active, and firefighters are working aggressively to stop the forward progression and sustain perimeter control. Erratic winds are contributing to the increased fire activity.”

Firefighters at the scene now total 1,122.

Road closures include: Jerusalem Valley Road is closed to all traffic at Spruce Grove Road; Morgan Valley Road from Reiff Road southeast to Napa County Line; Reiff Road from Morgan Valley east to Yolo County Line; and Berryessa Knoxville Road closed from Lake Berryessa north.

For evacuation details, follow this link.

The Rocky Fire, meanwhile, in Lake, Yolo and Colusa counties, is at 88 percent containment with 69,636 acres consumed, Cal Fire said.

“The Rocky Fire containment continues to grow, and you may see several small flare ups within the interior,” Cal Fire said. “Steep and rugged terrain is making it difficult for firefighters to make access to various parts of the fire. Damage assessment has been completed and firefighters continue to establish and construct containment lines and implement the suppression repair plan.”

Crews at Rocky fire number 1,344, as of this morning.

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Monday, Aug. 10, 6:45 p.m.

The fire burning in the Jerusalem Valley in Lake County, dubbed the Jerusalem Fire and within mere miles from the Rocky fire, has consumed 6,000 acres, with zero containment reported to date, according to a Monday evening update from Cal Fire.

Crews at the scene total 545 for the blaze, which broke out Sunday afternoon.

Napa County officials reported this evening that Berryessa-Knoxville Rd is closed from Eastside Road north to the Napa County line due to the fire.

Cal Fire said it expects to have the fire under containment by Aug. 14.

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Monday, Aug. 10, 9:45 a.m.

The Jerusalem Fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon in the Jerusalem Valley area in Lake County, has consumed 5,000 acres so far this morning, according to Cal Fire.

Mandatory evacuations are issued for the Jerusalem Valley area east of Spruce Grove, and Jerusalem Valley Road is closed to all traffic at Spruce Grove Road, the agency said.

The evacuation center is at Middletown High School. (415) 307-4503

“Firefighting resources are being demobilized from the Rocky Fire to the Jerusalem Fire,” Cal Fire said. ”Crews are working aggressively to construct fire line and sustain perimeter control.”

The Rocky fire, meanwhile, in Lake, Colusa and Yolo counties, is at 85 percent containment with 69,636 acres burned, Cal Fire said this morning.

The Rocky Fire began July 29 and destroyed 43 homes and 53 outbuildings.

The nearby Wragg Fire in Napa and Solano counties was declared at 100 percent containment last week, after consuming 8,000 acres, Cal Fire said.

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