Creek Fire live updates: 152,833 acres burned; Auberry among firefighters’ concerns
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7:30 p.m.: New acreage total
The Creek Fire had grown to 152,833 acres, according to a Tuesday night update, and remained at 0% containment as it continued to force or threaten evacuations throughout Fresno and Madera county mountain towns.
An estimated 365 structures, which include homes, commercial property and minor buildings, have been damaged or destroyed, fire officials announced at a Tuesday night news conference.
4:30: Auberry a concern for Creek Fire officials
Chris Vestal, a spokesman for the Creek Fire, said the southern portion of the fire — around Meadow Lakes and Auberry —were the primary areas of concern for firefighters on Tuesday afternoon.
The 0% containment, with 143,929 estimated acres burned, hadn’t been updated since Tuesday morning.
Estimated destroyed structures so far: 60 homes, 20 minor structures, and two businesses. Vestal didn’t name those businesses, but one is Cressman’s General Store below Shaver Lake. He said damage assessment teams would start doing more property surveys later Tuesday.
It could take days for residents to receive official notification. Officials estimated that nearly 5,300 structures remained threatened Tuesday.
The focus continues to be protecting structures and evacuating people, he said. Vestal wasn’t aware of anyone still left at designated refuge areas needing evacuation, or anyone killed by the fire.
One elderly man died from a medical episode Sunday night at Mono Hot Springs, where emergency responders were not able to get to because of the Creek Fire. His body was retrieved by military helicopters along with 142 campers and hikers on Tuesday morning.
4:20 p.m.: Forest Service expounds on closures
USDA Forest Service officials expounded on the closures on Monday of eight national forests and said how wildfires including the Creek Fire burning near Shaver Lake react over the next few days likely will determine how long the closures and other measures will be in effect.
“There’s a wind event that’s occurring over the next couple of days that’s going to be really, really telling as to where we end up on the other side of that,” said Steve Lohr, acting deputy regional forester for the Pacific Southwest Division of the USDA Forest Service. “Right now, the closure is in place for a week and we can extend that or we can end it early, if needed.”
The closures, which will be evaluated daily, affect the Stanislaus, Sierra, Sequoia, Inyo, Los Padres, Angeles, San Bernardino and Cleveland national forests.
In addition, campgrounds and day-use sites at all national forests in California will be closed. Ignition sources such as campfires also have been prohibited.
The USDA Forest Service will bring in additional law enforcement officers from outside the region to assist. Violators are subject to citation.
National forests in Northern California could also be closed, at some point.
3:46 p.m.: New evacuation orders
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office announced new evacuation orders for areas south of Highway 168 in the potential path of the Creek Fire:
▪ Humphrey’s Station to Tollhouse Road
▪ Humphrey’s Station to Pittman Hill Road to Sample Road
3:15 p.m.: A drive through Shaver Lake
No buildings were visibly damaged along Highway 168 during a drive through the town of Shaver Lake.
At least several cabins, however, along a densely populated side street west of the 168 were destroyed. The burned cabins were between Madrone and Limber lanes near the corner of Nutmeg Avenue.
A number of cabins on side roads off the 168 also appeared OK, but many backed up against swathes of charred ground where flames came dangerously close.
A number of firefighters remain in the town.
2 p.m.: Highway 168 scorched on way to Shaver
Fire had scorched the earth from below Cressman to Ridge Road along Highway 168, with stretches of green trees and then burned areas alternating back and forth between Ridge Road and the town of Shaver Lake as of Tuesday afternoon.
At least one home visible from the highway was burned down to a chimney along the six-mile stretch from Cressman’s to Shaver.
1:30 p.m.: Fire on Pine Ridge, but school appears OK
Pine Ridge School at the top of the Highway 168 four-lane near Shaver Lake is still standing after the Creek Fire came dangerously close to its destruction. Small flames were still visible in blackened playgrounds with melted plastic slides along the edges of mostly still-green lawns.
Structures have burned around the school, established in 1884. Across the street, what appeared to formerly be a home was just a brick chimney and burned truck around noon Tuesday. Thick smoke and small burning piles of embers surrounded the school’s perimeter. The blaze came just feet from school structures. Ash fell from the sky.
Most of the homes near Pine Ridge School appear to be destroyed.
Along a mile stretch of Auberry Road toward the small community of Alder Springs, only six homes were visible as still standing, with many more leveled to ashes. Small flames were still visible on both sides of the road beneath a dark, smoky sky. In one instance, a for-sale sign was still standing beside a leveled home.
12:10 p.m.: Red Flag Warning issued for much of state
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning (see the map below) for much of the state through Wednesday due to strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures, with the Creek Fire one of 25 major wildfires already burning across California.
Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches are used to alert fire departments to the onset or possible onset of critical weather and dry conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity.
There are more than 14,000 firefighters deployed across the state as of Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire, with 305 water tenders, 297 crews, 197 bulldozers and 76 state aircraft.
The Creek Fire, which started on Friday and has now burned more than 143,000 acres.
11:30 a.m.: Air quality warning expanded
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has reissued a health warning due to smoke from the Creek Fire, and is anticipating unhealthy air quality to impact parts of the valley through the week.
It is warning residents to stay indoors.
As winds shift Tuesday and Wednesday, smoke from the Creek Fire will continue to blow into the Valley, it said, causing increased particulate matter pollution 10 microns and smaller (PM10) and the potential for high-levels of ozone.
PM10 pollution can trigger asthma attacks and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Those with existing respiratory conditions including COVID-19, young children and the elderly, are especially susceptible to the health effects from this form of pollution.
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District issued its health caution on Aug. 17, when there were eight wildfires impacting valley air quality.
The rapidly-growing Creek Fire started on Friday and has now burned more than 143,000 acres or roughly 225 square miles.
9:30 a.m.: Cressman’s Store destroyed
Cressman’s General Store — a Shaver Lake-area landmark since 1904 — was destroyed by the raging Creek Fire and burned to the ground.
»» Read the full story here: Fresno County landmark destroyed
8:45 a.m.: Fresno County evacuation orders
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders Tuesday morning due to an immediate threat to life from the Creek Fire for the following areas:
- Sycamore Road and Burrough Valley
- Watts Valley from Maxon Road to Pittman Hill Road
- Maxon Road to Trimmer Springs Road
The areas are closed to public access.
The wildfire has burned more than 143,929 acres since sparking Friday evening, according to a Tuesday morning update from fire officials.
It has continued to grow in all directions under extreme conditions, particularly to the south and east, and is threatening additional communities in the foothills. Winds are expected to pick up Tuesday afternoon, and extreme fire behavior is still being observed with the critical fuels including timber and brush, and high temperatures.
The cause of the Creek Fire remains under investigation.
9:45 a.m.: Clovis groups collecting donations for those impacted by fire
Assured Senior Living Solutions in Clovis is teaming up with Willow Creek Healthcare and Lenity Solutions to help provide important items including water, diapers, baby food and toilet paper to those impacted by the Creek Fire.
They are accepting donations Tuesday and Wednesday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the front entrance of Willow Creek Healthcare, 650 W. Alluvial Ave. in Clovis.
8:40 a.m.: Fire Chiefs Foundation fundraiser
Stanford defensive back Brock Jones has organized a GoFundMe effort on behalf of the Fresno Fire Chiefs Foundation along with Danae Manibog, and Karlee Pottorff.
All three are student-athletes from Clovis – Jones played football and baseball at Buchanan High, Manibog is a track athlete at Fresno Pacific and Pottorff plays soccer at San Jose State.
Manibog and Pottorff are both Clovis North graduates.
The GoFundMe has a goal of $20,000.
6:30 a.m.: Overnight rescues
The U.S. Navy and California Army National Guard rescued dozens of people overnight that were trapped by the Creek Fire, officials reported.
6 a.m.: Fresno County evacuation warning
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation warning to all residents living in the Prather/Auberry areas including Auberry Road to Millerton Road and Tollhouse Road to Nicholas Road to Hwy 168.
An evacuation warning means there is a potential threat to life and or property.
5 a.m.: Fresno State student-athletes start relief fund
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at Fresno State announced Sunday night that it was starting a GoFundMe account to assist the Central California American Red Cross in raising funds for supplies and future recovery and rebuilding efforts from the Creek Fire that is ravaging areas around Shaver Lake.
“In the past few days, the Creek Fire has spread uncontrollably through the mountains of Fresno and Madera counties, forcing evacuations and directly impacting many members of the Red Wave” it said, in a statement. “Safety officials have informed us that financial donations are the best way to support first responders and families affected at this time.
“We, the Fresno State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members, have set up a GoFundMe to support the Central Valley Red Cross, who will direct all funds raised to affected communities. It is important that we lift up our community in this time of need, just as they lift up our teams year round.”
The SAAC has set a goal of raising $10,000 for relief efforts.
The group is led by president Emily Cutler (women’s swimming and diving), vice president Alessia Dario (women’s tennis), social media chair Ella Husrefovic (women’s tennis), secretary/treasurer Michael Cliff (men’s golf), community service chair Breanna Covington (women’s track and field) and Mountain West Conference representatives Delana Basanisi (women’s golf) and Sydney Fox (women’s track and field).
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 9:10 AM with the headline "Creek Fire live updates: 152,833 acres burned; Auberry among firefighters’ concerns."