TL;DR: The Lucas Fire reached 3,476 acres with 10% containment on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, triggering evacuation orders and warnings in Lake and Mendocino counties.

Fire status on Friday night

The Lucas Fire burning along the Lake and Mendocino county line grew to 3,476 acres on Friday, according to NTD. The wildfire was 10 percent contained as of 5:55 p.m. Friday, according to CAL FIRE.

The fire began at 9:18 a.m. Thursday near Potter Valley, and its cause remained under investigation. The fire is under the jurisdiction of CAL FIRE's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, with no incident management team assigned.

An intelligence aircraft mapped the fire at 3,476 acres, according to the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit. An inversion layer and heavy smoke restricted flight operations, although four air tankers had returned to the incident Friday.

CAL FIRE took an aggressive initial response and sent substantial resources to the blaze, according to a joint agency post cited by NTD. During the first 24 hours, firefighting aircraft logged a combined 79 flight hours and dropped 123,000 gallons of retardant and 126,000 gallons of water. At that earlier point the fire was listed at 1,099 acres and 5 percent containment before the later mapping update.

Lake County News reported a closely aligned nighttime figure of 3,466 acres with containment estimated at 10%. That report said the fire more than tripled in size during Friday, growing from the 1,099 acres officials reported at the start of Friday to the nighttime acreage.

The fire began Thursday morning in Potter Valley in Mendocino County, and crossed into Lake County on Thursday night. It is impacting the Mendocino National Forest and Bachelor Valley area of Upper Lake.

Cal Fire said 1,000 personnel are assigned to the incident, according to Lake County News. Cal Fire said firefighters faced high temperatures and strong winds on the fire line on Friday, with resources to continue working overnight to gain additional containment and strengthen suppression efforts. Five night-time helicopters were flying over the fire on Friday evening, officials said.

Local emergency declaration

On Friday, Lake County's sheriff declared a local emergency in response to the Lucas fire, according to Lake County News. Sheriff Lucas Bingham, serving as the county's director of emergency services, proclaimed the local emergency.

The Lake County Board of Supervisors will consider ratifying the proclamation when it meets Tuesday. The Lake County Emergency Operations Center, or EOC, remains activated, with county departments and response partners coordinating resources, monitoring changing conditions and supporting affected communities.

A joint information center has also been established to coordinate public information related to the incident, officials said.

Evacuation orders in effect

Evacuation orders were in effect for Lake County zones MNF-E016, MNF-E018, MNF-E019, UPP-E023, UPP-E025, UPP-E026, UPP-E027, and UPP-E030. Mendocino County zone MEN-2POT08-B was also under an evacuation order.

Authorities urged residents to use caution around the incident and avoid unnecessary travel in areas under an evacuation warning. Areas under an evacuation order remain closed, and residents should not attempt to re-enter until officials determine it is safe to do so.

Traffic control points have been established in the Upper Lake area to support evacuation and emergency response operations. Those traffic control points are currently located at Highway 20 and Bachelor Valley Road, Highway 20 and Witter Springs Road, Highway 20 and Saratoga Springs Road, Elk Mountain Road and Pitney Lane, and Elk Mountain Road and CC Camp.

Motorists should avoid the affected area when possible and follow all directions from law enforcement and emergency personnel. Evacuation zones and current road closure information can be viewed through official county postings.

Evacuation warnings and who should leave early

Warnings covered Lake County zones MNF-E012, MNF-E013, MNF-E015, MNF-E017, MNF-E021, UPP-E028, UPP-E031, UPP-E032, UPP-E035, and UPP-E038. Warnings were also issued for Mendocino County zones MEN-2POT08-A and MEN-2UKV28.

People who need additional time and those with pets or livestock were advised to leave. Residents in areas under an evacuation warning should remain prepared to leave if conditions change. Those who require additional time to evacuate, including residents with pets or livestock, should consider leaving early.

Residents should use caution around the incident and avoid unnecessary travel in warning areas. Order areas remain closed to re-entry until officials determine it is safe.

Shelter open at Lake County Fairgrounds

An official evacuation shelter staffed by the American Red Cross Northern California Chapter opened at 6 p.m. Friday in Fritch Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport, according to Lake County News. NTD identified the Lake County Fairgrounds' Baldwin Pavilion at the same 401 Martin St. address in Lakeport as serving as an evacuation shelter.

Evacuees may enter the fairgrounds through the C Street gate or the main gate off Martin Street. Parking is available behind Fritch Hall. Residents are asked to keep vehicles clear of roadways within the Fairgrounds to allow emergency and support vehicles to safely move throughout the property.

Small animals are welcome but will be housed in a separate area near Fritch Hall. Livestock also are welcome at the fairgrounds. Those bringing livestock to the facility are asked to enter through the livestock gate off Estep Drive. Owners who evacuated animals to the Lake County Fairgrounds are responsible for their animals' ongoing care.

Evacuees should bring necessary medications, medical equipment, and other essential items for themselves and their pets. A shower trailer provided by the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management is available onsite.

National Forest closure through Sept. 20

The U.S. Forest Service issued an emergency closure for part of the Upper Lake Ranger District in the Mendocino National Forest. The closure includes National Forest roads, trails, and campgrounds within an area bounded by Forest Roads 16N30, 16N01, M1, also known as Elk Mountain Road, and 17N99 near McCreary Glade.

Middle Creek, Penny Pines, and Deer Valley campgrounds are closed, along with off-highway vehicle trails 01, 05A, 07, 10, and 15. The Forest Service order took effect Friday and is scheduled to remain in place through Sept. 20.

Federal, state, and local officers and members of organized rescue or firefighting forces performing official duties are exempt. Violations can bring fines of up to $5,000 for individuals or $10,000 for organizations, up to six months in prison, or both.

Red Flag warning and smoke outlook

The National Weather Service on Friday also issued a red flag warning for Lake County that will be in effect from 10 a.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday due to a forecast of critical fire conditions including gusting northwest winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour — and up to 40 miles per hour after higher ridges — and lower humidity.

Households in warning zones should remain prepared to leave if conditions change. Households that require additional time to evacuate should consider leaving early rather than waiting for an order upgrade.

Household readiness steps for this incident

Residents under warnings should keep vehicles clear for rapid departure and avoid unnecessary travel near the incident. Residents under orders should not attempt to re-enter closed areas.

Evacuees heading to the fairgrounds should bring necessary medications, medical equipment, and other essential items for themselves and their pets. Small-animal owners should expect separate housing near Fritch Hall. Livestock owners should use the Estep Drive livestock gate and plan for ongoing care of animals at the facility.

Residents should monitor evacuation zones and road closure information through official county channels. The county EOC remains activated and a joint information center is coordinating public information.

Other active fires in California

The Lucas Fire is just one of several currently active blazes in the state. CAL FIRE's incident page shows eight active fires, the largest of which are burning in Monterey County, as of 9:50 p.m. Friday.

The Timber Fire, which started on Aug. 8, has grown to 25,420 acres and is 27 percent contained. The Plaskett Fire, which is the largest active fire in the state, began Aug. 26 and has grown to 29,942 acres at 83 percent containment in Monterey County.

Sources referenced