1,800 structures threatened by fast-moving wildfire in Sierra foothills

About 1,800 structures are threatened by a fast-moving wildfire in the Sierra foothills that has sent four firefighters to a hospital with burns and continues to consume tinder-dry woodlands.

Only 20% contained, the Lowell fire grew slightly overnight to 1,700 acres Monday after flames ran through parched trees and oil-rich manzanita shrubs, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire sent plumes of smoke into nearby communities.

More than 1,400 firefighters have continued battling the blaze by air and on the ground, but access to the flames is challenging due to the steep terrain, Cal Fire said.

Now fire officials are monitoring wind patterns, which could shift Monday, according to Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant. Earlier in the firefight, southern winds fanned flames to the north. The latest weather report indicates gusty north winds could present a problem for fire crews.

“We are definitely bracing for the weather,” he said.

Temperatures are expected to climb into the 100s and humidity could remain low into the night. The low humidity increases the temperature of the fire, making the firefight more challenging.

The fire began about 2:30 p.m. Saturday near the Steep Hollow Creek drainage area, about 40 miles west of Lake Tahoe.

Of the 1,800 structures threatened, 50 homes were directly in the path of the fire and are under mandatory evacuation, Berlant said.

Residents in the Cascade Shores Community are under a voluntary evacuation order, Cal Fire said. An evacuation center was set up at Nevada Union High School.

No structures have been damaged or destroyed.

On Sunday, two Cal Fire firefighters who suffered burn injuries were treated at the UC Davis Burn Center in Sacramento and released, he said. The firefighters, he said, were “in good spirits and anxious to return to the firefight.”

A U.S. Forest Service firefighter remained hospitalized Sunday with serious burn injuries. A second Forest Service firefighter also suffered burn injuries and was expected to be released Sunday.

Fire officials are investigating the cause of fire.

Meanwhile, 5,000 Cal Fire firefighters are battling nine large fires throughout the state, Berlant said. In the past week, firefighters responded to more than 270 new wildfires.

The Wragg fire, which is 70% contained, started Wednesday and has scorched 6,591 acres near Lake Berryessa in Napa Valley, officials said.

In Madera County, firefighters continued to battled the Willow fire just southeast of Bass Lake. Flames consumed 1,521 acres. The fire is only 5% and is burning in steep, rugged terrain.

Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report.

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