Mandatory evacuations were issued in rural Lassen County Sunday afternoon for a fire that has been burning for more than 24 hours.
U.S. Forest Service officials said the Elephant Fire, burning within the Tahoe National Forest, has burned at least 6,400 acres. It remained 5% contained as of Sunday afternoon.
Crews reported Sunday morning that the fire’s behavior overnight was “slightly moderated,” but “remains very active.”
The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office upgraded an evacuation warning for zone LAS-451-A to an order around 4:15 p.m. on Sunday. An evacuation warning was issued for LAS-671-B.
The fire started Saturday afternoon to the east of the community of Loyalton, located within the Sierra Nevada mountains just west of the Sierra Valley. The fire has primarily burned in grass with some snags, brush and timber, and is burning within the 2020 Loyalton Fire scar.
Fire crews say that the fire could possibly impact areas like Cold Springs, Hallelujah Junction and Border Town if the fire continues to burn at a rapid rate.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office said there is no immediate threat to the communities of Sierra Brooks or Loyalton. The county’s sheriff’s office said it’s continuing to monitor the fire and will issue notifications if evacuation warnings or other measures are needed.
Air and ground resources have responded to battle the fire, building bulldozer lines and dropping fire retardant and buckets of water.
It’s unknown what started the fire.
Loyalton is about 140 miles northeast of Sacramento and about 44 miles northwest of Reno.
Brandon Downs
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