Lowell Fire: Containment Grows, Four Firefighters Injured

Lowell Fire Monday Update: Crews Continue To Battle Blaze

• Cal Fire: Lowell Fire Incident Page
• YubaNet.com Lowell Fire coverage

7:40 p.m. - The Lowell Fire burning in Nevada County is holding steady at 1,500 acres.

The fire, which is now 15 percent contained, is burning in the Steep Hollow Creek Drainage, making access difficult for firefighters.

Four fighters sustained burn injuries while battling the blaze, according to Cal Fire. They were airlifted and paramedics were assessing their condition. More than 1,000 firefighters are at the scene of this wildfire.

Evacuations are still in place for You Bet, Red Dog, Lowell Hill and Chaulk Bluff area. An evacuation advisory is in place for the northeastern portion of Cascade Shores and in the Gold Run/Alta area.

An evacuation center has been opened at the Nevada Union High School, located at 11671 Ridge Road in Grass Valley. 

Officials say they are no longer looking for the vehicle of interest.

Soft road closures are in effect for:

• SR-20 at Lowell Hill, I-80 at Dutch Flat Exit 139
• I-80 at Secret Town Exit 149
• Chicago Park at Powerhouse Road, Diggins at Alta and Mando Rd. between Pasquale and Banner

 Officials say some 1,800 structures are threatened by this wildfire in Placer & Nevada Countie

8:06 a.m. - Remapping has resulted in a downsizing of the burn area of the Lowell Fire. Cal Fire reports the blaze stands at 1,500 acres, with 5 percent containment, as of early Sunday.

Mandatory evacuations are in place in the You Bet, Red Dog, Lowell Hill and Chaulk Bluff area. An evacuation advisory is in place for the northeastern portion of Cascade Shores and in the Gold Run/Alta area. Smoke from the Lowell Fire spreads across the sky Saturday, July 25, 2015. Photo courtesy James Moran / YubaNet.comAn evacuation center has been opened at the Nevada Union High School, located at 11671 Ridge Road in Grass Valley. 

Cal Fire says the fire calmed a little throughout the night, but there is still a major concern at the head of the fire. The fire is burning rapidly in a northly direction in the Steep Hollow Creek Drainage. Access to fire is very challenging, but hundreds of firefighters are actively battling the fire in the air and on the ground.

There are 771 personnel and 30 crews assigned to the incident, along with 81 engines, nine air tankers, 12 helicopters and 12 bulldozers.

Investigators are asking the public’s help in looking for a vehicle of interest that was in the area when the fire started. The vehicle is a lifted 4x4 white jeep wrangler without a top, a black roll bar and no front doors that was in the Gold Run/Dutch Flat area around 2:30pm. Anyone with information should contact the Placer or Nevada County Sheriff’s Department.  

-Capital Public Radio staff

#LowellFire [update] W of Alta (Nevada Co) is now 1,500 acres & 5% contained. Decrease due to more accurate mapping. http://t.co/sBz2cn0hcq

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) July 26, 2015