SCU Lightning Complex Fires Now 35% Contained, 369,000 Acres

BAY AREA, CA — Containment of the SCU Lightning Complex fires continues to rise, Cal Fire reported Thursday.

The fires burning across five counties in the East Bay, South Bay and neighboring Central Valley areas have scorched nearly 369,000 acres — an increase of nearly 3,000 acres from Wednesday morning — and are at 35 percent containment, according to the Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit (SCU).

Twenty buildings have been destroyed while more than 20,000 homes remain threatened.

Smoke levels were forecast to be lower-than-normal Thursday as coastal fires start to die down, according to Cal Fire.

Officials credit improved weather conditions and humidity levels for the progress they've been able to make, but say gusty winds forecast Thursday afternoon or evening are of concern. Humidity levels remained low overnight Wednesday.

Various evacuation warnings were lifted Wednesday, including warnings for areas neighboring Fremont and Tri-Valley in Alameda County. Firefighters ask people moving back home to be aware of emergency vehicles with first responders working in the area.

The SCU Lightning Complex fires are comprised of the following fire clusters:

• The Deer Zone fires in Contra Costa County, west of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir, which were fully contained as of Wednesday
• The Calaveras Zone fires in Alameda, Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties, northeast of the Calaveras Reservoir in the Sunol area and east of the reservoir, stretching down into the San Felipe Hills.
• The Canyon Zone fires in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, burning toward Corral Hollow on the north end and burning into Henry W. Coe State Park on the south end.

Cal Fire said Thursday's weather conditions looked right for a burn operation, which firefighters planned to undertake to reduce flammable vegetation in the area between the edge of the fire and the firefighters' control line.

More than 1,900 first responders are on scene, including aerial firefighters.

Three first responders and two members of the public have been injured in the fire.

View a map of the fires and more on evacuation warnings and orders, shelters and road closures here.