Lucas Fire

Lucas, Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, Cal Fire. Ten miles north of Upper Lake, CA. Grass, chaparral and medium slash. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Numerous residences and critical infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, area, road and trail closures in effect.

September 17, 2026 at 5:15 PM Evacuation orders have been reduced to just areas within the perimeter of the fire. Approximately 125,000 feet of hose was used by firefighters during this incident. That is nearly 24 miles.

That hose is now being pulled from the fire and moved to Station 60 in Middletown to be inspected, washed and rolled back up to be ready for deployment on the next fire.

There was excellent overnight relative humidity recovery at the site and fire behavior remains minimal. Remaining smoke generation should be minimal and coming from the consumption of heavy fuels and stump holes within the burn.

Thursday’s priorities include tactical patrol of the perimeter, extinguishing interior hot spots and the fire suppression repair plan continues to be implemented.

September 13, 2026 at 8:23 PM Fire activity on the incident diminished Sunday, allowing containment of the fire to increase up to 25 percent. A surge of resources into the area allowed crews to directly engage the fire while continuing to construct and reinforce containment lines. Cooler temperatures and lighter winds also provided more favorable conditions, helping crews make significant progress.

The Temporary Evacuation Point will be available from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at:

Lake County Fairgrounds – Fritch Hall
401 Martin Street
Lakeport, CA 95453

The TEP will remain available as a resource for residents impacted by the Lucas Fire. Cooling and shower services will continue to be available at the Fairgrounds during TEP hours.

The Lake County Fairgrounds will also continue to accept livestock evacuations. Livestock should enter through the livestock gate off Estep Drive. Owners are responsible for the ongoing care of their animals.

To date, nearly 7.5 miles (39,500+ feet) of dozer line has been constructed around the fire. With 78 dozers assigned to the incident Sunday, that number will continue to grow as suppression efforts progress. Crews are using dozers to construct both direct and contigency control lines while also helping firefighters overcome limitations to ground access.

September 13, 2026 at 7:18 AM Fire crews made good progress overnight and were able to strengthen containment lines in several areas. 

Crews continued working to extinguish hot spots and make sure the fire stays within established containment lines.

Today’s focus:

    •    Strengthen and secure the fire’s containment lines

    •    Continue putting out hot spots and areas of remaining heat.

    •    Closely monitor areas near homes and other structures.

    •    Address any areas where the fire could potentially spread.

    •    Continue monitoring for spot fires and changing fire conditions.

The Red Flag Warning ended at 2:00 a.m. this morning in Lake County. Crews are taking advantage of today’s improved conditions.

September 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM The fire has moved toward the southeast. Ground resources and firefighting aircraft are actively engaged. The North Bay Type 3 Incident Management Team is at scene, supporting the CAL FIRE Sonoma–Lake–Napa Unit with critical operational, logistical, and support functions.

Northwest winds have increased fire activity on the eastern side of the incident. The fire remains within established control objectives, and firefighters continue working to strengthen containment lines.

Additional resources are available and prepared to respond if fire conditions increase.

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through Monday afternoon due to strong winds and elevated fire weather conditions.

September 12, 2026 at 7:41 AM Today, resources are focusing on strengthening containment lines in anticipation of the forecasted weather. Ground resources are engaged in fire suppression efforts to construct direct control lines where favorable. 

There is a continued threat to structures and critical communication sites with evacuation orders and warnings remaining in place. There are road closures in the area. Access to the fire is difficult due to its remote location. North Bay Type 3 Team ordered.

September 11, 2026 at 7:51 PM Firefighters faced high temperatures and strong winds on the fire line today, working in challenging conditions to protect communities and slow the fire’s spread.

Resources will continue working overnight to gain additional containment and strengthen suppression efforts.

Five night-time helicopters will be flying over the fire this evening to support suppression operations.

The Temporary Evacuation Point at the Lake County Fairgrounds is transitioning to an official evacuation shelter staffed by the American Red Cross Northern California Chapter.

The shelter will open at 6:00 PM tonight, September 11, at:
Lake County Fairgrounds – Fritch Hall
401 Martin Street, Lakeport, CA 95453

Residents may enter the Fairgrounds through the C Street gate or the main gate off Martin Street. Parking is available behind Fritch Hall. Please keep vehicles clear of roadways within the Fairgrounds to allow emergency and support vehicles to move through the property.

For livestock evacuees please enter the Lake County Fairgrounds through the livestock gate off Estep Drive. Owners who evacuated animals to the Lake County Fairgrounds are responsible for their animals’ ongoing care. Animal owners are responsible for the ongoing care of their animals. Evacuees should bring necessary medications, medical equipment, and other essential items for themselves and their pets. A shower trailer provided by the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management is available onsite.

September 11, 2026 at 1:10 PM The following zones are now under Evacuation Warning: 

• MNF-E012
• MNF-E013
• MNF-E015

Additional Temporary Closure Points (TCP) will be active at:

• Hwy 20 & Bachelor Valley Rd
• Hwy 20 & Witter Springs Rd
• Hwy 20 & Saratoga Springs Rd

September 11, 2026 at 7:43 AM

Evacuation Orders have been issued for the following areas:

Lake County
MNF-E016
MNF-E018
MNF-E019
UPP-E023
UPP-E025
UPP-E026
UPP-E027
UPP-E030

Evacuation Warnings have been issued for the following areas:

Lake County
MNF-E017
MNF-E021
UPP-E028
UPP-E031
UPP-E032
UPP-E035
UPP-E038

Mendocino County
MEN-2POT08
MEN-2UKV28

Temporary Evacuation Point

Lake County Fairgrounds
Baldwin Pavilion
401 Martin St, Lakeport, CA 954534

Animal Evacuation Shelter

Lake County Fairgrounds
Baldwin Pavilion
401 Martin St, Lakeport, CA 954534

There is a continued threat to structures with evacuation orders and warnings remaining in place. There are road closures in the area. Access to the fire is difficult due to its remote location.

Two night-flying helicopters supported firefighting efforts on the southern portion of the fire near the heel. In this area, the fire has moved into grass fuels and continues to slowly back downslope. Helicopter operations are expected to continue into the early morning hours.

PG&E has shut off power along Elk Mountain Road from White Rock Road to Middle Creek.