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SCU Lightning Complex Fires at 343,965 acres

The SCU Lightning Complex Fire is composed of 20 separate fires in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties.

8:40 p.m. update:

Firefighters continue a battle against a raging wildfire that has grown to 343,965 acres. 

As of Sunday night, the crews have 10% containment on the blaze. 12 structures have been destroyed.

Officials said winds  will remain a concern for unpredictable fire spread and for firefighter safety.

3:25 p.m. update:

As the SCU Lightning Complex Fire becomes the third largest California wildfire in the state's history, authorities are calling for more evacuations as the fire fight continues.

Cal Fire announced an additional evacuation order and warning for people in Santa Clara County. 

Evacuation Order

Santa Clara County

  • North of Magnolia Ct. and Magnolia Way
  • East of Lower Thomas Grade along the East Dunne Corridor
  • East of Highway 101 to Meltcalf Road, East of Coyote Creek, East of Cochrane Road, East of Hill Road, South of Main Avenue, North of Dunne Avenue, West of Shingle Valley Road, and Anderson Lake, to include the Jackson Oaks and Holiday Lake Estates, South of Metcalf Road.

Evacuation Warning

Santa Clara County

  • South of Dunne Ave, and West of Lower Thomas Grade, East of Hill Road, North of Maple Avenue, Foothill Avenue, North San Martin Avenue, East of New Avenue, North of Roop Road, West of Coyote Creek and Coyote Lake
  • South of Eagle View Drive, East of Peet Road, North of Half Road, West of Cochrane Road, West of Coyote Creek

8:30 a.m. update:

The SCU Lightning Complex Fire did not grow overnight and containment remains the same, according to Cal Fire. Five buildings have been destroyed.

A new evacuation order was put in place overnight in Alameda County south of Welch Creek Rd. to the fire perimeter and the Alameda-Santa Clara County line.

9 p.m. update:

The SCU Lightning Complex Fire ranks the second-largest wildfire in California history, according to Cal Fire. The fires are now up to 339,968 acres and is 10% contained.

8:15 p.m. update: 

Cal Fire officials issued an evacuation warning for the Bay Area that includes Alameda County from Aug. 23 at 5 a.m. to Aug. 24 at 5 p.m.Officials said the warning was issued because of lack of exit routes that might be impossible to access due to potential fire activity. 

Click here for the locations that are under the evacuation warning. 

11 a.m. update

Cal Fire said the SCU Fire is 291,968 acres and 10% contained. The fire, which started August 16, was originally made up of 20 separate fires. Cal Fire said those 20 fires have merged into three major incidents and broken into three zones: the Canyon Zone, the Calaveras Zone and the Deer Zone.

"The protection of sensitive wildlife and critical power and communication infrastructure remains a top priority," Cal Fire said.

Update 7:30 p.m.

The SCU Lightning Complex Fire has burned nearly 275,000 acres, growing more than 40,000 acres in a matter of hours since the last update from CAL FIRE.

In its latest update, CAL FIRE – SCU estimated the fire at 274,968 acres burned and still said containment was at 10%.

Luckily, the fire hasn’t been nearly as destructive as other fires burning around the state. CAL FIRE said it has destroyed just five structures, although another 20,000+ are being threatened. Two people are reported to have suffered injuries in the fire.

Thousands of people have been evacuated from the SCU Lightning Complex Fire, which is composed of 20 separate fires in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties.

Tap here to read the latest information from CAL FIRE.

4:15 p.m. update:

San Jose Fire Department [SJFD] gave updates on weather conditions and the city's response to the fire.

"For the people that are out here now, there's a good west wind blowing...which is gonna want to drive the fire more to the east," SJFD said.

Evacuation orders are largely outside of city limits of San Jose, in the foothills and to the east, but officials are urging residents who are not in an evacuation zone at this time to be prepared to leave. 

3:30 p.m. update:

A new evacuation warning has been issued in Merced County for residents under threat from the SCU Lightning Complex fires.

In an update at 3:30 p.m., CAL FIRE - SCU issued the warning for areas north of Highway 152 to Interstate 5 to the Santa Clara County line and Stanislaus County line; West of Interstate 5, excluding the community of Santa Nella, east of the Santa Clara County line and the Stanislaus County line to the Delta-Mendota; and South of the Stanislaus County line to Highway 152.

Right now this is only an evacuation warning. Residents are urged to make preparations to leave immediately should the situation get upgraded to an evacuation warning.

9 a.m. update: 

The SCU Lightning Complex is approximately 20 separate fires broken into three zones; the Canyon Zone, the Calaveras Zone, and the Deer Zone. according to Cal Fire.

Continued high temperatures across the unit with warm and dry overnight conditions are expected for today. 

Northwest winds will surface rapidly when the inversion breaks on the Deer and Calaveras Zones. Daytime humidity will be in the teens across the entire complex. Expect critical rates of spread when fuels, wind, and topography are in alignment and in increase in fire activity after noon. 

Due to high call volume, a new incident information line has been set up in addition to the current line. For the latest Incident Information please dial: 

  • (916) 618-3195 
  • (669) 247-7431

For a list of evacuation orders, visit the Cal Fire site, as they are subject to change. 


7:30 a.m. update:

The SCU Lightning Complex Fires exploded in size overnight and have now burned 229,968 acres according to Cal Fire. The size of the fire is up more 70,000 acres from last night.

Five buildings have been destroyed and 20,020 more are threatened by the fire. Cal Fire reports 10% containment on the fire, which is up from yesterday.

Cal Fire reports it expects "critical rates of spread when fuels, wind, and topography are in alignment" with an increase in fire activity after noon.

Original story:

Gusty winds and low humidity are slowing firefighting efforts on the SCU Lightning Complex Fires in five different counties, according to an update from Cal Fire.

The fire has burned 157,475 acres and is 5% contained. Cal Fire released those numbers on Thursday night, so it is possible the size of the fire will increase on Friday.

The SCU Lightning Complex is composed of 20 separate fires in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties. CAL FIRE has established three zones to better focus resources in the fight. Those zones are called the Canyon Zone, the Calaveras Zone, and the Deer Zone.

The Canyon Zone is in parts of Stanislaus County and San Joaquin County and includes the Peg Leg Fire, the Terraville Fire, the Del Puerto Fire, and the Peach Fire.

The Calaveras Zone touches parts of Alameda, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus counties and includes the Kilkare Fire, the Arroyo Fire, the Mill Creek Fire, the Welch Fire, the Ohlone Fire, and the Reservoir Fire.

The Deer Zone is in Contra Costa County and includes the Round Fire, the Palm Fire, Marsh Fire, and the Briones Fire.

Evacuation orders remain in effect in the following counties/areas:

Alameda County / Stanislaus County:

  • Frank Raines Park to Mines Road
  • Del Puerto Canyon Road 1 mile to Mines Road

Santa Clara County:

  • East of San Jose City limits
  • South of Mt. Hamilton Rd.
  • North of Metcalf Rd. & San Felipe Rd., East to the County Line
  • East of San Antonio Valley Rd. to Del Puerto Canyon Rd. to the County Line
  • South of Stanislaus County Between Santa Clara County Line and I-5
  • West of I-5 North of Stanislaus/Merced County Line
  • North of Stanislaus/Merced County Line
  • East of Santa Clara County Line
  • North of Hwy 130 to Santa Clara County Line
  • West of San Antonio Valley Rd.
  • West of Mines Rd. to Santa Clara County Line
  • East of 3 Springs Rd. and Mt. Hamilton Rd.
  • South of Santa Clara County Lin
  • North of Mt. Hamilton Rd. to Three Springs Rd.
  • South of Santa Clara County Line
  • West of the Fire Perimeter
  • East of Ferguson Rd. East and North of Hwy 152
  • West of Merced County Line
  • North of Hwy 152
  • South of Metcalf Rd at Shingle Valley Rd.
  • East to the Stanislaus County line
  • East of Shingle Valley Rd. and everything East of Anderson Lake, East of Coyote Creek,
  • East of Coyote Reservoir, East of Roop Rd., East of Leavesley Rd., East of Crews Rd.,
  • East of Ferguson Road.
  • East and North of Hwy 152
  • West of Merced County Line, North of Hwy 152
  • South of Metcalf Road at Shingle Valley Road, East to the Stanislaus County Line

Alameda County:

  • All of Mines Road, south of Mile Marker 10 to the county line

San Joaquin County:

  • South of West Corral Hollow Road to Stanislaus County line
  • West of I-580 to Alameda County line
  • East of Alameda County line to I-580 and the Stanislaus County line

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