Fire in Glenhaven near Clear Lake threatens buildings, evacuations ordered

Cal Fire crews responded and evacuations were ordered after a fire broke out north of Clear Lake in Lake County Friday afternoon.

Shortly after 12 p.m., the agency's Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit announced that a vegetation fire had broken out on Harvey Boulevard in Glenhaven. At 12:45 p.m., the agency said the fire had grown to at least 50 acres.

According to Cal Fire, the fire had grown to more than 400 acres by around 5:30 p.m. Officials said more than 2,500 buildings were threatened.

“The fire continues to spread north toward High Valley and east toward Clearlake Oaks. Air and ground assets are working to contain the spot fires and fortify control lines down the middle of the slope to prevent the fire from retreating toward Highway 20,” the agency said in a statement.

As of Friday evening, Highway 20 will be closed west of Glenhaven in Paradise Valley and east at the roundabout at Highways 20 and 53.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for zones GLE-E094, GLE-E072, CLO-E098, CLO-E073, CLO-E106, CLO-E099, CLO-E102, CLO-E107 and CLO-E82 on February 2nd : 8 p.m. Residents in these zones are asked to leave the area immediately.

Evacuation warnings have now been issued for zones CLO-E057 and CLO-E079. Residents of these areas, particularly those requiring additional time to evacuate, as well as residents with pets and livestock, are urged to leave the area.

Deputies asked evacuees to gather all family members and pets and to take essential items and medications with them. Before leaving, evacuees should also turn off appliances and lights and lock their homes.

An evacuation shelter was set up at the Twine Pine Casino and Hotel on Highway 29 in Middletown.

The cause of the fire was initially unknown.