Clearlake fire forces evacuation of 400

A fast-moving fire in Clearlake that destroyed a mobile home and forced evacuations of 400 residents was brought under control late Sunday night.

The fire was reported on Dam Road near the Cache Creek apartment complex, which suffered minor damage, shortly before 5 p.m.

Firefighters immediately evacuated apartment residents and some surrounding homes to the nearby Walmart parking lot as they sought to contain the fire that moved through an area of dry brush.

“The fuels are extremely dry and this fire had a rapid rate of spread,” said Cal Fire spokeswoman Suzie Blankenship. “This fire had the potential to grow to 2,000 acres.”

The fire quickly grew to 10 acres and air support was called in to assist firefighters on the ground. National Guard helicopters were diverted from the Wragg fire in Napa and two Cal Fire choppers from Mendocino were involved in the effort, Napa Cal Fire Captain Joe Fletcher said.

At the fire’s peak, 123 firefighters, 14 engine companies, two tankers and six helicopters were involved. The fire was 90 percent contained by about 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Crews worked overnight and brought the fire to 100 percent containment by Monday morning.

“On a fast-moving fire like that, they did some great work,” Blankenship said.

With temperatures expected in the triple digits over the next few days, fire officials are warning people to use extreme caution.