Brush fire closes part of Highway 20 in Lake County (w/video)

A wind-driven fire tore through brush Wednesday on both sides of Highway 20 in Lake County, forcing the closure of the two-lane highway east and west of the Blue Lakes resort area.

The fire, several miles east of the Mendocino County line, was reported at 4 p.m. and is suspected of being ignited by a vehicle crash, but the CHP could confirm only that an accident occurred about the same time. Officials closed Highway 20 east of Scotts Valley Road and west of the Lodge at Blue Lakes, according to fire officials and the CHP. The fire ignited near Saratoga Road on Highway 20, officials said.

The fire had burned 100 acres as of 8 p.m. and destroyed two structures, according to Cal Fire. Officials did not specify the kind of structure that was destroyed.

Nearly 200 firefighters were battling the fast-moving fire and it was 30 percent contained.

At 7:15 p.m., one lane of Highway 20 was reopened, with traffic control.

No evacuations had been ordered, and an owner of the Lodge at Blue Lakes - located about two miles east of fire - said she was not worried.

“They have it under control,” said Pete Schmid, who had driven past the flames 25 minutes earlier. By the time he got home, the road was closed, stranding him and about a half-dozen guests at the resort. He said the wind was blowing east, so it was not smoky outside and guests could continue to enjoy the outdoors.

You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MendoReporter