NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. — August 23
7:53 p.m. update:
The Jones Fire is 65% contained at 705 acres, according to Cal Fire.
1:50 p.m. update:
The Jones Fire is still 705 acres but is now 55% contained, according to Cal Fire.
There have been three heat-related injuries, one minor laceration, and three with poison oak, Cal Fire said in a press release. They reported 21 structures destroyed and three damaged buildings.
"Firefighters continue to be hampered by high temperatures and very dry fuels. Suppression repair will continue throughout the fire, including cultural and historic sites," Cal Fire said.
There is a red flag warning in effect until Monday at 11 p.m.
9:30 p.m. update:
The Jones Fire remains at 705 acres but is now 30% contained, according to a CAL FIRE.
Officials said evacuation orders have been lifted and residents are being allowed to return home. Fire crews will continue to secure control lines and protect cultural, historic sites.
Six firefighters have been injured fighting the Jones Fire.
2 p.m. update:
Evacuation have been lifted for areas to the west of the fire line.
The evacuation center at Ready Springs School is closed due to lack of use and evacuations being lifted.
Original story
On day five of the Jones Fire, Cal Fire announced the wildfire is still sits at 705 acres, but containment grew to 25% overnight.
Fire officials expected to fully contain the fire by early next week.
Four firefighters have been injured. There was a jump in structures destroyed overnight though, from five on Thursday to 21 on Friday's Cal Fire report. A majority of those structures were out buildings, while six homes were destroyed.
There are no current evacuation warnings. However, evacuation orders are still in place for the following areas: Yuba Crest Drive, John Wollman Lane, Tasha Road, Queen Elizabeth Way, Will O Wisp Court, and Weeping Willow Way. An evacuation center is located at:
- Ready Springs School - 10862 Spenceville Rd, Penn Valley, Calif.
The Nevada City School District is open for school and its programs after being closed earlier in the week due to the Jones Fire. However, Ready Springs and Williams Ranch in the Penn Valley School District is still closed.
The following roads are closed:
- Will O Wisp Court at Jones Bar Road
- Wollman Lane at Jones Bar Road
- Highway 49 at Cedar Song
- Highway 49 at Reeder Ranch Road
- Queen Elizabeth Way at Jones Bar Road
- Weeping Willow Way at Jones Bar Road
- Jones Bar Road norther of the Yuba Crest
According to Cal Fire, in 2019, California wildfires burned just under 260,000 acres from 7,860 incidents. Over 700 structures were damaged or destroyed and three people were killed. This follower two years of some of the “deadliest and most destructive wildfires” in California history.
If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and know your community’s evacuation plans to best prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
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