County Fire Grows To 70,000 Acres

YOLO COUNTY (CBS SF) – The County Fire in Yolo and Napa Counties continued to expand in size, scorching at least 70,000 acres (109.38 square miles) as of Tuesday morning.

According to Cal Fire, the blaze burning northeast of Lake Berryessa is only five percent contained.

The fire was first reported around 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon. In less than 72 hours, the blaze has burned an area more than twice the size of the City of San Francisco (47 square miles).

Cal Fire said about 700 structures have been threatened, but none have been lost so far.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Anthony Brown said Tuesday at least 2,500 people have been told to evacuate as the sprawling blaze continues to spread.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in Yolo County north of Highway 128 except the City of Winters, South of County Road 23, East of Berryessa Knoxville Road, West of County Road 89 and south of the community of Esparto. Residences served by Highway 128 between Monticello Dam and Pleasant Valley Road have also been told to evacuate.

Meanwhile, officials have issued evacuation advisories for the Berryessa Highlands, Markley Cove Resort and Pleasure Cove resort.

Cal Fire officials urged residents of these communities to be prepared to leave if an evacuation order is issued.

Residents with special needs or pets requiring specialized transportation are urged to give themselves extra time to evacuate.

Residents who decide to evacuate voluntarily are asked to travel west on state Highway 128 or south on Monticello Road.

Travel is restricted on eastbound Highway 128 to Solano and Yolo counties.

Brown said more than 2,000 firefighters are working by air and on the ground to try to contain the blaze burning in Yolo and Napa counties.

The spokesperson also said Cal Fire is asking people to use caution when lighting up fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday.

Containment is not expected until July 10.

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