Update: Evacuations Lifted For Willow Fire In San Andreas

Update at 6:50pm: Containment on the Willow Fire has reached 15%, according to CAL Fire. It remains 450 acres and the forward rate of spread has been significantly slowed. All evacuation orders have been lifted. Firefighters plan to remain on scene for an extended period. Over 300 firefighters are assigned to the incident.

Considerable drift smoke from the fire continues to travel through nearby Tuolumne County.

A special thanks to community news partners Dennis Bayers, Dawn Ostrom, Jeff Lee and Danielle Hill for sending in photos. Pictures can be emailed to news@clarkebroadcasting.com.

Update at 5:55pm: CAL Fire reports that progress is being made battling the Willow Fire. Spokesperson Nancy Longmore reports that the mandatory evacuation order for the Willow Valley subdivision has been lifted. However, only residents are being allowed back into the area. In addition, the evacuation warning has been lifted for the Calaveritas area. The latest size update from CAL Fire remains 450 acres and 5% containment. The spread of the fire has been significantly slowed. There remains around 300 firefighters assigned to the incident.

Notable drift smoke from the fire is starting to be reported in portions of neighboring Tuolumne County.

A special thanks to community news partners Dennis Bayers, Dawn Ostrom, Jeff Lee and Danielle Hill for sending in photos. Pictures can be emailed to news@clarkebroadcasting.com.

Update at 4:45pm: The Willow Fire in San Andreas is up to 450 acres and 5% containment. Around 300 firefighters are assigned to the incident. CAL Fire reports there are 46 engines, seven dozers, nine hand crews, seven water tenders, two air tankers, two air attack and a helicopter. A mandatory evacuation order remains in place for the Willow Valley subdivision, and an evacuation warning is issued for Old Gulch Road from Calaveritas Road to Rocky Road. Several of the nearby roads are closed. An evacuation center is opening at the San Andreas Town Hall at 24 Church Hill Road.

Update at 4:10pm: The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office reports that an evacuation center is being opened at the San Andreas Town Hall at 24 Church Hill Road. The Red Cross will be overseeing the operations. There will be accommodations for small domestic animals.

The Willow Fire is still estimated to be 400 acres and 2% contained, according to CAL Fire spokesperson Lindy Shoff. A mandatory evacuation order remains in place for the Willow Valley subdivision, and an evacuation warning is issued for Old Gulch Road from Calaveritas Road to Rocky Road.

A special thanks to community news partners Dennis Bayers, Dawn Ostrom, Jeff Lee and Danielle Hill for sending in photos. Pictures can be emailed to news@clarkebroadcasting.com.

Update 3:40pm: CAL Fire reports the Willow Fire is up to 400 acres and it is now only 2% contained. Spokesperson Lindy Shoff says a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for the nearby Willow Valley Subdivision. In addition, an evacuation warning has been issued for Old Gulch Road from Calaveritas Road to Rocky Road. Residents are advised to leave those areas.

Update at 3:10pm: The Willow Fire in San Andreas is up to 300 acres and 3% contained, according to CAL Fire spokesperson Lindy Shoff. Several nearby homes remain threatened and the earlier referenced road closures remain in place.

Update at 2:25pm: The CHP reports the Mountain Ranch Road is closed from near Willow Creek Road to Lower Michael. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation advisories for several homes on Willow Creek Road and Mountain Ranch Road. The fire is still estimated to be around 50 acres. Additional resources are arriving on scene.

Original story posted at 2:05pm: San Andreas, CA — There is a fast moving 50 acre vegetation fire burning in the San Andreas area.

CAL Fire reports that it is in the area of Mountain Ranch Road near Willow Creek Road. There are multiple homes threatened in the area. The fire started as 3-4 separate fires, according to CAL Fire, but no other details are immediately available. Air and ground resources are on scene. Be prepared for fire activity in the area.