Photo by Daree Grier
The BLM Northern California District, with support from U.S. Forest Service and CalFire crews responded to a fire in Likely, Ca on Sunday July 7th. The fire originally started off Highway 395 at around 3:49 p.m. and quickly burned east fueled by high temperatures and the afternoon winds. By 6 o’clock Monday morning it had consumed an estimated 4,389 acres and containment efforts had reached 45 percent.
Evacuation orders were given just before 7 p.m. on Sunday for around 50 residences on County Road 64 (Jess Valley Road), including those east of West Valley cut off, Juniper Acres, as well as residents in the Mill Creek Falls campground and Soup Springs campground areas. The West Valley boating access sites were also closed to the public, as fire suppression aircraft are utilizing water from the reservoir. Fortunately, no structures have been reported damaged or involved in the fire at this time.
A team of 200 personnel is currently working on containment operations using dozers and the natural rocky landscape to construct fire lines, aiming to halt the fire’s advance. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, with updates provided regularly as the situation develops.
“Our crews are making great progress getting containment on this fire”, said Jeff Fontana, the BLM Northern California District’s Public Affairs Officer. “We are asking the public to please be careful anytime you’re doing anything outdoors. Yard work, driving or camping for example. Be aware, don’t park over dry grass or brush. Fire safety has to be top of mind, especially in this heat.”
Evacuation orders were lifted at 8 p.m. Monday evening, and as of Wednesday morning containment efforts have increased to 60 percent. According to the Modoc County Sheriff’s office, West Valley Road and West Valley Reservoir are re-opened for public use. Please take caution as there may still be fire personnel in the area.
