Ponderosa

Ponderosa, Ponderosa Road above Lake Collins west of Frenchtown in Yuba County. Brush and oak woodlands.

August 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM

Ten smokes found on the Ponderosa Fire, it will be rechecked tomorrow.

August 14, 2025 at 8:16 AM

Minimal fire behavior reported today. Final report unless there is a significant change.

August 13, 2025 at 7:14 AM

Minimal fire behavior reported. Evacuation Warning for zone YUB-E094-C remains in effect.

August 12, 2025 at 7:04 AM

Containment went up to 35% overnight. Firefighters continue to mop-up and extinguish any hot spots. Backhauling of equipment and rehabilitation of dozerlines has started.

August 11, 2025 at 8:36 PM

Zone YUB-E094-C remains under an evacuation order: North Of Sunset Rd, South Of Pine Ridge Dr, East Of Willow Glen Rd and West Of Peppertree Ln.

Zones YUB-E094-A, YUB-E094-B, YUB-E093-A and YUB-E089-B remain under an evacuation warning.

August 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM

The cause of the Ponderosa fire has been identified as accidental by CAL FIRE Prevention Officers. Prevention Officers identified a subject who, while working on a vehicle with an impact wrench, caused sufficient friction to generate enough heat to cause the dry seasonal grasses to ignite. The subject attempted to extinguish the fire using hand tools and water but was unsuccessful. The subject called 911 and then waited near the scene of the fire for Prevention Officers and has been completely cooperative with CAL FIRE’s investigation.

August 11, 2025 at 7:05 AM

Containment has reached 26%. Evacuations orders and warnings remain in place.

August 11, 2025 at 6:25 AM

Goo drogress was made overnight. Briefing at 7:00 am with the latest.

Two zones previously under Evacuation Warning have been lifted (YUB-E092 and YUB-E006).

Three zones currently remain under evacuation ORDER: YUB-E089B, YUB-E093A, YUB-E094B.

Zones under Evacuation Warning include: YUB-E081, YUB-E094A, YUB-E093B, YUB-E089A.

August 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM

Forward progress of the fire has been stopped. Containment is at 17%.

August 10, 2025 at 9:04 PM

HelCo is canceling the incoming Chinook helicopter, ground resources are making good progress.

August 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM

Firehawks will be continuing operations overnight. HelCo command looking for spot fires and providing intel to the firefighters on the ground, so far no spots visible.

August 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM

Ponderosa IC is requesting an ambulance to Marysville Rd and Willow Glen Rd.

August 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM

Yuba County OES reports the current evacuations remain in place for now. The situation will be re-evaluated later tonight.

August 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM

No injuries or structure damage reported at this time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

August 10, 2025 at 7:19 PM

The fire has been mapped at 83 acres.

August 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM

An additional Washington Ridge crew is being dispatched to the fire. All air tankers are off the fire.

August 10, 2025 at 7:02 PM

The Evans incident has been contained at 0.88 acres.

August 10, 2025 at 6:53 PM

Fire activity has started to moderate, ongoing water drops from heavy helicopters are cooling hotspots. No spotting outside the main fire observed at this time.

August 10, 2025 at 6:45 PM

Tankers are being released to their respective bases, the Firehawks will continue aerial support. Numerous strike teams have been dispatched. From our fire talk explainer – Strike team: A team of generally 5 same kind resources with one designated leader. Charlie Strike Teams are engines, Golf Strike Teams are crews and Lima Strike Teams are dozer teams.

Dozers are making good progress.

August 10, 2025 at 6:29 PM

The fire is going into extended attack, IC and Operations are making plans for overnight operations and the day shift tomorrow.

August 10, 2025 at 5:59 PM

Third start in the Ponderosa fire area will be handled by Ponderosa resources. 1/4 acre on Evans Way, mostly extinguished. Air Attack 17 is taking over from Air Attack 230 on the Upham fire in Rackerby.

August 10, 2025 at 5:51 PM

Ponderosa IC requesting additional resources to respond to the 2-acre Upham Fire in Rackerby.

August 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM

Tree across the roadway on Marysville Road near Oregon Hill Rd. Firefighters responding, Marysville Rd is in the evacuation zone.

August 10, 2025 at 5:39 PM

Ponderosa IC is requesting additional tactical radio frequencies. The incident has been split up into divisions and Operations need to be able to contact each of them efficiently.

August 10, 2025 at 5:34 PM

Tankers have retardant lines around the fire near Rackerby, prevention officer en route to investigate the cause.

August 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM

Large air tankers continue to work the main Ponderosa Fire, Type 3 tankers are working the new start near Rackerby. Ground resources have better access to the main fire thanks to some rapid dozer work.

August 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM

Air Attack confirms the new start in the Rackerby area. Two tankers are with Air Attack and will take action on the 1/2 acre fire, burning in grass near structures.

August 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM

Air Attack is reporting a new start, possibly west of Brownsville in the Rackerby area. They will fly over.

August 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM

Access to the fire remains an issue, engines and equipment is starting to stack on Marysville Road.

August 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM

Intel 12 has mapped the fire at 48 acres now.

August 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM

Spotting ahead of the fire continues to be a concern for firefighters.

August 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM

Evacuation Warnings issued for zones YUB-E006, YUB-E092 and YUB-E081. If you need extra time to leave the area, leave now.

August 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM

Ponderosa IC reports 40-50 acres, spotting and medium to dangerous rate of spread. Potential for 200-300 acres.

August 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM

Evacuation orders have been issued for zones YUB-E094, YUB-E093 and YUB-E089.

The Alcouffe Center, located at 9185 Marysville Road, Oregon House, California will be the evacuation point.

August 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM

Ponderosa Air Attack is requesting three Firehawk helicopters with nighttime-flight capabilities. Also one additional Type 1 and one Type 3 air tanker.

August 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM

Ponderosa Air Attack reports approximately 40 acres, still short to medium-range spotting. The fire is moving towards heavier timber, structures in the area have been lines with retardant.

August 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM

Three tankers and three helicopters are assigned to the incident, additional ground resources are arriving at the Dobbins station. Fire is burning at a moderate to rapid rate of spread.

August 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM

Intel 12 is returning to the fire for a new round of mapping.

August 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM

The fire is experiencing some short-range spotting.

August 10, 2025 at 3:59 PM

There are no evacuations or road closures at this time.

August 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM

Ponderosa IC is placing a large resource request, including five engine strike teams, dozers and crews. All resources to respond to the Dobbins Fire Station.

August 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM

Ponderosa IC established an Incident Command Post at Station 60.

August 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM

Vegetation fire above Collins Lake, Ponderosa Fire, aircraft overhead mapped it at 12 acres.