Clearlake fire fully contained, but smoke may still be seen

Firefighters have fully contained the wind-fed vegetation fire in Clearlake, according to a Facebook post made Tuesday morning on the official page of the Lake County Fire Protection District.

The Wilkinson fire was reported shortly after 5 p.m. Monday at Wilkinson Avenue and Dam Road, authorities said, adding that it was believed to have started when vegetation was ignited by a car fire.

Fire personnel Tuesday morning estimated the blaze scorched between 20 and 25 acres.

Crews remained on scene overnight to manage any potential hot spots and ensure the fire was fully contained.

Authorities on Tuesday cautioned that people may still see smoke rising from the area.

“Though we have containment on the fire at this time there will STILL BE SMOKE seen in the area as we transition to the mop up phase. You can expect to see engines and other fire apparatus in the area between Dam Rd/Wilkinson, and Wilkinson/14th Ave.,” officials said on Facebook.

Power also has been restored to all of the customers affected by PG&E’s decision to “de-energize” power lines that were being affected by the flames, officials said Tuesday.

At about 7:30 p.m. Monday, the utility said it cut power to 2,584 customers in the area.

During the height of the blaze, mandatory evacuations were ordered for the area south of 18th Avenue from Boyles Avenue east and north of Dam Road, according to Clearlake police. An evacuation center was open at Kelseyville High School, 5480 Main St.

And an evacuation advisory was put in place for people on 18th Avenue north to 32nd Avenue and east of Phillips Avenue, according to Clearlake police.

Authorities also closed 18th at the intersections of Boyles, Dam and Lake Street.

By 8:15 p.m., though, the evacuation center was closed and the only area under evacuation was Boyle Avenue from 10th Avenue to Dam Road, according to Clearlake police.

The evacuation advisory also was lifted shortly after 8:15 p.m.

In order to stop the fire from spreading, fire crews dropped retardant from the air.

Flames grew at a moderate speed much of the night.

Weather stations a few miles from the scene showed flames being pushed by 10 mph winds with gusts as fast as 20 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

No injuries were reported.

Cal Fire assisted the Lake County Fire Protection District in battling the blaze.