Evacuation orders, road closures lifted for Jerusalem fire in Lake County

Authorities have lifted all evacuation orders and ended all road closures related to the week-old Jerusalem fire burning mostly in southeastern Lake County.

The move came in a 2 p.m. report from Cal Fire. It covers areas a swath of rural property southeast of Clearlake, where more than 150 residents were ordered to leave their homes earlier this week.

The decision Saturday was a sign of the progress that firefighters have made to contain the blaze, which started Aug. 9 and has burned 25,146 acres as of Saturday evening, when it was reported to be 80 percent contained.

The fire has destroyed four homes and 13 outbuildings.

More than 2,400 firefighters and personnel remain assigned to the blaze.

Cal Fire reports signaled that up to 50 structures could still be threatened by the blaze.

Authorities advised residents returning to their properties to be on the lookout for downed power lines and damaged power poles, trees or tree limbs at risk of toppling.

The Jerusalem fire on Friday merged on its northern perimeter with the larger Rocky fire, which burned 69,438 acres and was pronounced fully contained Friday.

Smoke from a number of Northern California wildfires has blanketed the region Saturday, with reports of a thick haze extending from the North Bay to Sacramento and the larger Bay Area.

Evacuation orders and road closures were lifted in the following areas:

-Jerusalem Valley Road starting at Spruce Grove Road (east)

-Morgan Valley Road from Reiff Road southeast to Napa County Line

-Reiff Road from Morgan Valley east to Yolo County Line

-Berryessa Knoxville Road from Lake Berryessa north

-Road 40 at Highway 16 to the west

Check back for updates.