Crime & Safety

Creek Fire Explodes To 73K Acres, Triggers Dramatic Evacuations

The Creek Fire raging in the Sierra National Forest exploded to 45,500 acres and cut off evacuation routes to the Mammoth Pool Reservoir.

The Creek Fire raging in the Sierra National Forest exploded to 45,500 acres and cut off evacuation routes to the Mammoth Pool Reservoir.
The Creek Fire raging in the Sierra National Forest exploded to 45,500 acres and cut off evacuation routes to the Mammoth Pool Reservoir. (Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service)

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST, CA — An explosive brush fire in the Sierra National Forest cut off evacuation routes near a popular reservoir Saturday, forcing multiple dramatic rescues.

The blaze had ripped through 73,278 acres as of 8:41 p.m. Sunday night according to a San Francisco Chronicle report.

The Creek Fire exploded from 2,000 acres to 36,000 acres Saturday, trapping 207 people at the Mammoth Pool Reservoir. At one point, they expected to have to ride out the flames by diving into the reservoir, but the California National Guard flew in using a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to airlift people to safety, according to the National Guard. Two people suffered major injuries, and at least 10 others were hurt.

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In this Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, photo released by the California National Guard, shows the view from a Cal Guard Chinook helicopter last night rescuing people trapped after the Creek Fire in central California left them stranded. More than 200 people were airlifted to safety after a fast-moving wildfire trapped them in a popular camping area in California's Sierra National Forest. The California Office of Emergency Services said Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters were used for the rescues that began Saturday night and continued overnight. (California National Guard via AP)
California National Guard shows dozens of evacuees are evacuated to safety on a Cal Guard Chinook Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, after the Creek Fire in central California left them stranded. More than 200 people were airlifted to safety after a fast-moving wildfire trapped them in a popular camping area in California's Sierra National Forest. The California Office of Emergency Services said Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters were used for the rescues that began Saturday night and continued overnight. (California National Guard via AP)

It continued to rage out of control overnight, growing to 45,500 acres by Sunday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

“The fire burned actively overnight,” according to a statement by the U.S. Forest Service. “Crews will be challenged today by steep rugged terrain, heavy fuel loading and high temperatures.”

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The fire broke out Friday evening near the communities of Big Creek and Huntington Lake and exploded Saturday amid intense heat, eating up dense and parched trees and brush in steep terrain. By Sunday morning, the fire was still at 0% containment.

A second dramatic rescue was underway Sunday night.

Two military Chinook helicopters were headed to China Peak near Huntington Lake early Sunday evening to rescue about 120 people early Sunday evening trapped by the blaze, GV Wire℠ reports.

The publication cited a person on ground, who said the air rescue was needed because the fire was burning on both sides of Highway 168.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Evacuations and Road Closures

  • Mandatory Evacuations in place for the communities of Big Creek, Huntington Lake and Cascadel Woods.
  • Hwy 168 is closed 2.7 miles east of Prather below the four lanes.


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