
Fire at a glance (numbers)
- Incident Name:
- State:
- Lead Agency:
- Size (acres):
- Percent Contained:
- Estimate of Containment:
- Personnel:
- Structures Destroyed:
Orion Way and McCourtney Road. Minimal fire behavior.
October 18, 2017 at 9:15 AM
Damage assessment is complete on all fires of the Wind Complex. Final evaluation has resulted in reassessment of all results.
McCourtney Fire: 1 residence and 1 minor structure damaged
6 residences and 7 minor structures destroyed.
October 13, 2017 at 6:29 PM
As of 5:00 PM, Friday October 13, 2017, NID will extend canal operations in the fire effected areas. This includes the Tarr and Tunnel canal systems as a resource for fire suppression efforts in Nevada County. Normally canals would revert to winter operations on October 14 annually. The canals will remain open at the current levels as necessary.
October 13, 2017 at 6:01 PM
Full containment achieved.
October 13, 2017 at 6:03 AM
Firefighters continued to improve the existing lines and mopped up the interior of the fire. No growth expected and all control objectives have been achieved.
October 12, 2017 at 6:19 AM
Great progress yesterday and overnight. Removal of hazard trees, mop-up and backhauling of equipment continues.
October 12, 2017 at 5:42 AM
Gusty north winds and low humidity expected today. A wind event will occur today with breezy northerly winds and poor humidity recovery combining to bring near Red Flag conditions. The strongest winds are expected this morning with decreasing winds expected through the day. Lighter winds are expected on Friday with slightly higher RH. Another disturbance will bring anther round of breezy northeast winds on Saturday. Neither of these periods of breezy winds is expected to be as strong as that experienced last Sunday or Monday. Lighter winds and warm dry conditions are expected early next week.
October 11, 2017 at 6:02 AM
Good progress overnight in strengthening and extending containment lines.
October 10, 2017 at 4:50 PM
Updated evacuation data from Nevada County OES:
McCourtney Fire
Evacuation Advisory Area: 320 residences
October 10, 2017 at 7:42 AM
Great progress overnight. 60% containment and no further growth anticipated.
October 10, 2017 at 6:45 AM
The control objective for the day is to keep the fire within the established perimeter.
October 10, 2017 at 5:51 AM
Nevada Joint Union High School District Superintendent Louise Johnson has canceled school for today, October 10th in the district due to the fires in Nevada County.
October 9, 2017 at 7:28 PM
Latest estimate puts the fire at 80 acres.
October 9, 2017 at 2:10 PM
CAL FIRE IMT-2 (Patterson) has been assigned to the complex comprised of the Lobo, McCourtney, Cascade and LaPorte fires.
October 9, 2017 at 11:35 AM
Public safety officials are asking that people stay away from the fire zone and evacuation areas
October 9, 2017 at 10:19 AM

Evacuations have been reduced on the McCourtney Fire, per Nevada County OES.
October 9, 2017 at 9:34 AM
Peace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley is open for evacuees from the fires in western Nevada County. This is not an official center supported by Nevada County resources.
Peace is at 828 W. Main St., near Lyman Gilmore School.
The parking area has room for trailers. A large kitchen and showers are available.
Call (530) 273-9631 for more information.
October 9, 2017 at 9:22 AM
Grace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley at 1979 Ridge Rd, Grass Valley is also open as an evacuation shelter.
October 9, 2017 at 8:56 AM
Forward progress of the fire has been stopped.
October 9, 2017 at 8:53 AM
PG&E crews are positioned in the area, as soon as the area is declared safe for them to enter they will begin replacing poles and restoring power to the 1,054 homes in the area. No estimated time of restoration available yet.
October 9, 2017 at 7:55 AM
New acreage estimate is 150 acres, 10% contained.
October 9, 2017 at 7:41 AM
Wind Air Attack is over the McCourtney fire, assessing the situation.
October 9, 2017 at 7:31 AM
Air resources taking off from Grass Valley Air Attack Base to local fires.
October 9, 2017 at 7:22 AM
Twin Cities Church will open at 7:30am as an additional shelter for evacuees. Animal shelter remains at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
October 9, 2017 at 6:52 AM
Aircraft will be available as soon as there is sufficient daylight.
October 9, 2017 at 6:50 AM
School closures:
Grass Valley School District
Penn Valley School District
Clear Creek closure due to a power outage.
October 9, 2017 at 4:45 AM
Fire activity has moderated, rate of spread has slowed somewhat. Still a lot of active fire and some short-range spotting.
October 9, 2017 at 4:12 AM
Structure protection for the evacuated homes is underway. Law enforcement is patrolling the area. McCourtney Road is closed for the foreseeable future, plan accordingly for your morning commute.
October 9, 2017 at 3:58 AM
Nevada County OES has published the evacuation maps for both the McCourtney and the Lobo Fires. Click the image to go to the OES website.
October 9, 2017 at 3:31 AM
Latest estimate puts the fire at approximately 300 acres.
October 9, 2017 at 3:16 AM
Per NCSO: The fire is moving south from the Polaris area and south of Scotts Dr. off of Thoroughbred Lp. It is headed towards Hidden Valley Rd. area and evacuations are recommended in the Hidden Valley area and S. Ponderosa Way. Deputies and Officers are going door to door to notify residents.
October 9, 2017 at 3:08 AM
The Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team is in need of horse trailers for evacuations. There are many horses needing evacuation. Go to the Brighton St. entrance, gate 8, at the fairgrounds or call Pat at 530-913-6506.
October 9, 2017 at 3:01 AM
Power outage is affecting 1,054 homes in the fire area.
October 9, 2017 at 2:48 AM
Per Nevada County Sheriff’s Office: The fire goes north in the area of Orion Rd. and Bonnie View Way. The fire is just south of Polaris with active fires near Scotts Dr. off of Thoroughbred Loop. The fire is currently heading south towards Hidden Valley.
October 9, 2017 at 2:33 AM
The Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team is mobilized at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
October 9, 2017 at 2:24 AM
McCourtney Road is closed to all traffic at Wolf Mountain. CHP is at scene.
October 9, 2017 at 2:08 AM
If you have livestock or horses:
Our facility is open to all livestock evacuees.
Please call Alyssa @ (530) 277 8622 or Cathi @ (530) 432 3108 for details.
West Coast Equine Sports Therapy
19600 Kneebone Ct
Penn Valley, CA
October 9, 2017 at 2:00 AM

Strike team from Placer County en route to the fire. Firefighters are doing structure protection, Grass Valley Police, NCSO and CHP are conducting evacuations and providing traffic control. Please do not attempt to “go look” at the fire.
October 9, 2017 at 1:55 AM
Evacuation center at First Baptist Church will be open by 2 am, per Nevada County OES.
October 9, 2017 at 1:24 AM
Evacuation warnings on Thoroughbred Loop.
October 9, 2017 at 1:18 AM
Evacuations for Paddock Lane.
October 9, 2017 at 1:06 AM
Evacuations for Auburn Road. Evacuation center will open in one hour at the First Baptist Church, across from NU on Ridge Road.
October 9, 2017 at 1:11 AM
Evacuations now ordered for Allison Ditch Road.
October 9, 2017 at 1:02 AM
Short and medium-range spotting on Polaris Drive and Shangrila Lane.
October 9, 2017 at 1:01 AM
Report of an explosion on Griffith Drive in the fire area.
October 9, 2017 at 12:59 AM
Structure immediately threatened on Orion Way, residents unable to get out. Active fire on Polaris. Evacuations underway.
October 9, 2017 at 12:46 AM
Incident Command Post will be at Station 91 on McCourtney.
October 9, 2017 at 12:31 AM
Evacuations are being ordered for Polaris Drive.
October 9, 2017 at 12:29 AM
One handcrew on order to the McCourtney (Orion) incident.
October 9, 2017 at 12:10 AM
Fire near the Fairgrounds on Orion Way has two structures fully involved, IC is requesting evacuations in the McCourtney area. Grass Valley Police will conduct any evacuations.
October 9, 2017 at 12:00 AM
Report of a fire on Orion Way off McCourtney Road, possibly a structure fire with rapid spread to the wildland.