Butte, Yuba County Wildfires: 4 Dead; Some Evacuations Lifted

BUTTE COUNTY, CA — Four people have died and thousands more are still evacuated from their homes as four fires continue to burn in Yuba and Butte counties. Officials said one person died after crashing on a road along the Cascade Fire area and another body was discovered inside a burned home in Yuba County. The remains were found during a welfare check conducted by deputies. Two more deaths were announced by the Yuba County Sheriff's Office on Thursday.

The deadly wildfires raging in Northern California have left at least 31 people dead and many people injured. The massive fires have been fueled by dry weather and howling winds, devastating the region and charring tens of thousands of acres. The fires continued to burn in Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Yuba, Butte, Nevada, Calaveras and Mendocino counties — with more evacuations ordered late Tuesday evening in multiple affected counties. Thousands of customers in the fire areas are without power.

The Cherokee Fire, which started in the area of Cherokee Road and Zonalea Lane in Oroville at about 9:45 p.m. Sunday, has burned more than 8,360 acres and is about 65 percent contained. All evacuations have been lifted.

The La Porte Fire (Wind Complex) in Bangor has burned about 6,109 acres since it started early Monday morning. It is 25 percent contained.

The Evacuation Order for La Porte Road from Darby Road west to Grimy Gulch Road and all tributaries. Los Verjeles Road south from La Porte Road to the Butte County line. Oro Bangor Highway from Bangor Park Road to La Porte Road. Evacuations warnings: La Porte Road from Pleasant Grove Lane to Grimy Gulch Road. This will allow access to the Pleasant Grove/Grimy Gulch area.

Road Closures:

• La Porte Road at Darby Lane
• La Porte Road at Grimy Gulch Road
• Oro Bangor Highway at Bangor Park Road

Also See: California Crews Using 'Back Burning' To Contain The Fires

The Cascade Fire (Wind Complex) in Yuba County, which started late Sunday morning, has burned 12,349 acres and is about 45 percent contained. Four people have died.

Evacuations include all areas north of the listed road closures to the Yuba/Butte County line and east to Marysville Road including the area of Cascade Road accessed from Neptune Road. Evacuation warnings: All areas east of Marysville Rd. to the Yuba/Nevada County line from the intersection of Willow Glenn at Marysville Road to Highway 20 including the greater Browns Valley community. All areas south of the Yuba/Butte County line east of Ramirez Road to the road closures at Fruitland Road at Loop Road, Loma Rica Road. at Smith Road, Virginia Road at Fruitland Road, and all areas south of Choctaw Trail at Fruitland Road. to Highway 20.

Road Closures:

• Leanne Way at Marysville Road
• Loma Rica Road at Marysville Road
• Pony Express Trail at Marysville Road
• Scott Grant Road at Marysville Road
• Big Oak Lane at Marysville Road
• Dry Creek Lane at Clair Drive
• Fruitland Road, just west of Loop Road
• Fruitland Road at Virginia Road
• Fruitland Road at Choctaw Trail, Vierra Lane at La
• Porte Road, Loma Rica Road at Smith Road Cascade Road at Neptune Road

The Honey fire has burned about 150 acres in the area of Honey Run Road and Merlin Lane, southwest of Paradise and the blaze is about 75 percent contained.

Evacuation Centers:

Officials have opened the Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds for evacuees. The fairgrounds are located at 442 Franklin Avenue in Yuba City. Those in need of assistance with evacuations can call 530-538-7322. The Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at the Church of the Nazarene, which is located at 2238 Monte Vista Ave. in Oroville. The Salvation Army will provide meal services to evacuees.

Several churches are also open for evacuees:

• Twin Cities Church is open at 11726 Rough and Ready Highway
• Grass Valley First Baptist Church, located at 1866 Ridge Rd.
• Grass Valley Nazarene Church, located 2238 Monte Vista Ave.

Animals can be taken to several shelters:

• Oroville Animal Shelter: Nevada Co. Fairgrounds: 11228 McCourtney Rd.
• Grass Valley Small Animal Shelter: The Old County Hospital: 2279 Del Oro Ave.
• Oroville Large Animal Shelter: Camelot Equestrian Park: 1985 Clark Road, Oroville

School closures:

• Butte County school closures: Bangor Elementary is closed through October 13.
• Spring Valley Preschool students have been moved to an alternate site
• YES Charter Academy: No school through Monday, October 16.

See Also:

• Northern California Wildfire Latest: 31 Dead; Fires Merge; 191,437 Acres Burned
• Walls Of Flame: Terrifying Video Shows California Deputy Driving Through Inferno
• Northern California Wildfires: ‘The Queen’ And Her ‘Peach’ Die Together
• PG&E Works To Restore Power Amid Devastating North Bay Wildfires

Photo credit Al Francis