Forward progress has been stopped on a wildfire in dense vegetation in Yuba County on Friday. The Oregon Fire was burning northeast of North San Juan, according to the Dobbins-Oregon House Fire Department. The fire department said the fire was first reported as one to three acres with a rapid rate of spread. Just after 6 p.m., officials for the Tahoe National Forest said crews had stopped the fire at six acres. The forest service said crews would remain on scene throughout the night, with mop-up operations planned to continue Saturday.An evacuation warning had been issued by the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department for the area of Alleghany and Ridge roads in North San Juan, south of Camptonville.Under an evacuation warning, residents are urged to be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice, as there is a potential threat to life and property.| MORE | A 2025 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in California | Northern California wildfire resources by county: Find evacuation info, sign up for alertsCal Fire wildfire incidents: Cal Fire tracks its wildfire incidents here. You can sign up to receive text messages for Cal Fire updates on wildfires happening near your ZIP code here.Wildfires on federal land: Federal wildfire incidents are tracked here.Preparing for power outages: Ready.gov explains how to prepare for a power outage and what to do when returning from one here. Here is how to track and report PG&E power outages.Keeping informed when you’ve lost power and cellphone service: How to find a National Weather Service radio station near you.Be prepared for road closures: Download Caltrans’ QuickMap app or check the latest QuickMap road conditions here.
NORTH SAN JUAN, Calif. —
Forward progress has been stopped on a wildfire in dense vegetation in Yuba County on Friday.
The Oregon Fire was burning northeast of North San Juan, according to the Dobbins-Oregon House Fire Department.
The fire department said the fire was first reported as one to three acres with a rapid rate of spread.
Just after 6 p.m., officials for the Tahoe National Forest said crews had stopped the fire at six acres.
The forest service said crews would remain on scene throughout the night, with mop-up operations planned to continue Saturday.
An evacuation warning had been issued by the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department for the area of Alleghany and Ridge roads in North San Juan, south of Camptonville.
Under an evacuation warning, residents are urged to be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice, as there is a potential threat to life and property.
A fire at a Yuba County residence on Monday spread into nearby vegetation, briefly prompting evacuation warnings, according to Cal Fire. Firefighters responded to the Hughes Fire at the residential structure near Frenchtown Road and Hedges Way. An AlertCalifornia camera around 4 p.m. showed that the smoke plume from the fire had thinned out since the fire was first reported.Cal Fire said one structure was fully involved and the flames spread across two to five acres of surrounding vegetation.The Yuba County Sheriff’s Office initially issued evacuation warnings for nearby streets and neighborhoods, but as of 4:15 p.m., the warnings were lifted.Under an evacuation warning, residents are advised of a potential threat to life and property. There is a potential for a warning to be upgraded to an evacuation order, when residents need to immediately evacuate an area due to an imminent threat.| MORE | A 2025 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in California | Northern California wildfire resources by county: Find evacuation info, sign up for alertsCal Fire wildfire incidents: Cal Fire tracks its wildfire incidents here. You can sign up to receive text messages for Cal Fire updates on wildfires happening near your ZIP code here.Wildfires on federal land: Federal wildfire incidents are tracked here.Preparing for power outages: Ready.gov explains how to prepare for a power outage and what to do when returning from one here. Here is how to track and report PG&E power outages.Keeping informed when you’ve lost power and cellphone service: How to find a National Weather Service radio station near you.Be prepared for road closures: Download Caltrans’ QuickMap app or check the latest QuickMap road conditions here.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
CHALLENGE-BROWNSVILLE, Calif. —
A fire at a Yuba County residence on Monday spread into nearby vegetation, briefly prompting evacuation warnings, according to Cal Fire.
Firefighters responded to the Hughes Fire at the residential structure near Frenchtown Road and Hedges Way.
An AlertCalifornia camera around 4 p.m. showed that the smoke plume from the fire had thinned out since the fire was first reported.
Cal Fire said one structure was fully involved and the flames spread across two to five acres of surrounding vegetation.
The Yuba County Sheriff’s Office initially issued evacuation warnings for nearby streets and neighborhoods, but as of 4:15 p.m., the warnings were lifted.
Under an evacuation warning, residents are advised of a potential threat to life and property. There is a potential for a warning to be upgraded to an evacuation order, when residents need to immediately evacuate an area due to an imminent threat.
(FOX40.COM) — The 2024 general election is on Nov. 5 and although the next president of the United States may be the most popular race, there are several other important decisions for California voters to make.
This year, there are 10 statewide propositions concerning topics such as gay marriage, indentured servitude in state prisons, California minimum wage, healthcare, and housing. Tap here for information on those propositions.
In addition, Yuba County voters will also decide on statewide and local races and measures. Here is what will appear on the ballot:
Congress
U.S. Senate – Full Term
• Adam Schiff (D) • Steve Garvey (R)
U.S. Senate – Partial/unexpired term (until Jan. 2025)
• Adam Schiff (D) • Steve Garvey (R)
United States Representative District 1
• Doug La Malfa: Farmer, Member of the U.S/ House of Representatives • Rose Penelope Yee: Businesswoman, Nonprofit Leader
United States Representative District 3
• Jessica Morse: Former Deputy Secretary for Forest and Wildland Resilience • Kevin Kiley: United States Representative
*Measure titles and descriptions below are from the briefing section of the county election guide.
Wheatland Union High School District Bond Measures:
• Measure A: Wheatland Union High School District – SFID 2
“To improve the quality of education at Wheatland High; modernize/ renovate/ construct classrooms, restrooms, and school facilities; repair/ replace leaky roofs; make health, safety, and security improvements; shall the Wheatland Union High School District (SFID No. 2) measure authorizing $9,000,000 of bonds at legal interest rates be adopted, generating approximately $555,800 annually, at average rates of $28.50 per $100,000 assessed value, while bonds are outstanding, with annual audits, independent citizens’ oversight committee, NO money for salaries and all money staying local?“
• Measure B: Wheatland Union High School District – SFID 1
To continue construction on a new high school for Plumas Lake students, shall the Wheatland Union High School District (Plumas Lake SFID No.1) measure authorizing $19,700,000 of bonds at legal interest rates be adopted, generating on average $1,100,000 annually at average rates of approximately $26.70 per $100,000 assessed value, with annual audits, independent citizens’ oversight committee, NO money for salaries and all money staying local?
• Measure C: Wheatland Union High School District – SFID 1
“To construct classrooms, restrooms and other necessary high school facilities, shall the Wheatland Union High School District (Plumas Lake SFID No.1) measure authorizing $20,300,000 of bonds at legal interest rates be adopted, generating on average $1,200,000 annually at average rates of approximately $27.25 per $100,000 assessed value, with annual audits, independent citizens’ oversight committee, NO money for salaries and all money staying local?“
Plumas Lake Elementary School District Bond Measures
• Measure D: Plumas Lake Elementary School District
“Core Academic Classrooms Measure. To insure safe facilities and quality education for District students and qualify for State matching funds by constructing and equipping core curriculum classrooms, bathrooms and other essential school facilities, shall Plumas Lake Elementary School District’s measure issuing $18,000,000 of bonds at legal rates, by levying approximately $30 per $100,000 of assessed value (raising $970,000 annually while bonds are outstanding) be approved, with independent oversight, annual audits, and all funds staying local?“
• Measure E: Plumas Lake Elementary School District
“STEAM and High School Readiness Measure. To insure quality education for District students and qualify for State matching funds by constructing and equipping facilities for science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) classrooms and labs, shall Plumas Lake Elementary School District’s measure issuing $18,000,000 of bonds at legal rates, by levying approximately $30 per $100,000 of assessed value (raising $970,000 annually while bonds are outstanding) be approved, with independent oversight, annual audits, and all funds staying local?“
• Measure F: Plumas Lake Elementary School District
“Student Health and Physical Education Measure. To insure safe facilities and quality education for District students and qualify for State matching funds by constructing, equipping required physical education facilities including a gymnasium, athletic fields and playgrounds, shall Plumas Lake Elementary School District’s measure issuing $18,000,000 of bonds at legal rates, by levying approximately $30 per $100,000 of assessed value (raising $970,000 annually while bonds are outstanding) be approved, with independent oversight, annual audits, and all funds staying local?“
City of Marysville Transactions and Use Tax Renewal
• Measure G: City of Marysville Transactions & Use Tax Renewal
“Shall the measure, without raising taxes, to protect and maintain City of Marysville’s services, including Police and Fire Departments, neighborhood police patrols, 911 emergency response times, street repaving and pothole repairs, emergency preparedness and for general government use, to continue an existing voter-approved one-cent sales tax, until ended by voters, providing an estimated $3.9 million a year, within dependent audits, an oversight committee and all money locally controlled, be adopted?”
A woman was killed and three others injured in a car crash Monday morning in the Olivehurst area of Yuba County, the California Highway Patrol said. KCRA 3 obtained video of the crash from a neighbor who says he saw the entire thing. “We just heard a bunch of screaming and then people started getting onto the highway to stop cars,” said Jerado Perez. Perez and his father live directly next to the highway and could see the crash from their backyard.CHP was dispatched around 5:29 a.m. to westbound Highway 70 near the offramp for McGowan Parkway. A Buick driving the wrong way crashed head-on with a Toyota SUV. A 47-year-old woman driving the Toyota was killed in the collision, CHP said. A passenger in the Toyota and another in the Buick were taken to a nearby hospital with major injuries. “I saw the car spinning out and then they called in life support. They tried to peel the cab open to get her out. I think there were two people that they tried to get out of that small car that was spinning out. One of the cars was completely smooshed,” said Perez.Police determined the Buick’s driver, 19-year-old Alannah Eastern was driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and felony DUI causing injury, CHP said. Eastern was taken by helicopter to a hospital. The Yuba County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday identified the woman killed as Francisca Monzono of Elverta.See our live traffic map for updates.Click the video player above to watch other headlines from KCRA News 3This story was curated by Hearst’s KCRA Alert Desk.If this story happened near you or someone you know, share this article with friends in your area using the KCRA mobile app so they know what is happening near them. The KCRA app is available for free in Apple’s App Store and on Google Play.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
OLIVEHURST, Calif. —
A woman was killed and three others injured in a car crash Monday morning in the Olivehurst area of Yuba County, the California Highway Patrol said.
KCRA 3 obtained video of the crash from a neighbor who says he saw the entire thing.
“We just heard a bunch of screaming and then people started getting onto the highway to stop cars,” said Jerado Perez.
Perez and his father live directly next to the highway and could see the crash from their backyard.
CHP was dispatched around 5:29 a.m. to westbound Highway 70 near the offramp for McGowan Parkway. A Buick driving the wrong way crashed head-on with a Toyota SUV. A 47-year-old woman driving the Toyota was killed in the collision, CHP said. A passenger in the Toyota and another in the Buick were taken to a nearby hospital with major injuries.
“I saw the car spinning out and then they called in life support. They tried to peel the cab open to get her out. I think there were two people that they tried to get out of that small car that was spinning out. One of the cars was completely smooshed,” said Perez.
Police determined the Buick’s driver, 19-year-old Alannah Eastern was driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and felony DUI causing injury, CHP said. Eastern was taken by helicopter to a hospital.
The Yuba County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday identified the woman killed as Francisca Monzono of Elverta.
Click the video player above to watch other headlines from KCRA News 3
This story was curated by Hearst’s KCRA Alert Desk.
If this story happened near you or someone you know, share this article with friends in your area using the KCRA mobile app so they know what is happening near them. The KCRA app is available for free in Apple’s App Store and on Google Play.
The mayor of Marysville was assaulted in his town, right in the downtown area.Prosecutors said Derek Hopkins, 36, hit Chris Branscum in the back, right in front of the chief of police and a city council member.The three officials are colleagues connected as leaders of the city of Marysville, and are now connected by an alleged crime. “Out of nowhere, I thought I was hit by a car,” said Branscum. “I was hit so hard.”Last week, Branscum, council member Dom Belza and the chief of police had a meeting with Congressman Doug LaMalfa.They were waiting for the congressman on the sidewalk at Fifth and D streets, outside the abandoned Hotel Marysville, which was destroyed in a June fire. “The next thing I know, there’s this guy sliding by me, running, and I yelled an expletive at him,” said Branscum. Belza saw the man coming up behind the mayor, and he described him as “looking rough.””I kept my eye on him, but as he approached, he just hauled off and slugged the mayor right in the back, square in the back,” he said. Belza didn’t hesitate. He chased down the suspect and tackled him about half a block away.His knees are still scabbed from the takedown.Belza said that during the scuffle, Hopkins punched him in the face and the police chief jumped on top and restrained Hopkins until officers arrived to take him to jail. “It was just a blatant act of violence. While instincts kicked in, I’m not 100% sure, but, you know, that’s just what I can sum it up to. I just always have gone to the issues rather than away from them,” said Belza.The mayor, at age 75, is grateful his younger council member jumped into action, recognizing his role as a citizen first. “He’s a badass. So is the chief of police,” said Branscum. “Dom took him down, and the chief was right there, right behind him. They did a heck of a job.”The Yuba County district attorney believes the suspect didn’t know it was a public official, so he doesn’t face as serious of charges.Clinton Curry said Hopkins was arraigned on two counts of misdemeanor battery. His maximum sentence on each count is six months in the county jail. More serious charges were not filed because there was no evidence to prove that Hopkins knew he was assaulting a public official or that he used a weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury. Hopkins is still being held in jail on a $2,500 bond and will be back in court next week, with a jury trial scheduled for Sept. 17.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
MARYSVILLE, Calif. —
The mayor of Marysville was assaulted in his town, right in the downtown area.
Prosecutors said Derek Hopkins, 36, hit Chris Branscum in the back, right in front of the chief of police and a city council member.
The three officials are colleagues connected as leaders of the city of Marysville, and are now connected by an alleged crime.
“Out of nowhere, I thought I was hit by a car,” said Branscum. “I was hit so hard.”
Last week, Branscum, council member Dom Belza and the chief of police had a meeting with Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
“The next thing I know, there’s this guy sliding by me, running, and I yelled an expletive at him,” said Branscum.
Belza saw the man coming up behind the mayor, and he described him as “looking rough.”
“I kept my eye on him, but as he approached, he just hauled off and slugged the mayor right in the back, square in the back,” he said.
Belza didn’t hesitate. He chased down the suspect and tackled him about half a block away.
His knees are still scabbed from the takedown.
Belza said that during the scuffle, Hopkins punched him in the face and the police chief jumped on top and restrained Hopkins until officers arrived to take him to jail.
“It was just a blatant act of violence. While instincts kicked in, I’m not 100% sure, but, you know, that’s just what I can sum it up to. I just always have gone to the issues rather than away from them,” said Belza.
The mayor, at age 75, is grateful his younger council member jumped into action, recognizing his role as a citizen first.
“He’s a badass. So is the chief of police,” said Branscum. “Dom took him down, and the chief was right there, right behind him. They did a heck of a job.”
The Yuba County district attorney believes the suspect didn’t know it was a public official, so he doesn’t face as serious of charges.
Clinton Curry said Hopkins was arraigned on two counts of misdemeanor battery. His maximum sentence on each count is six months in the county jail. More serious charges were not filed because there was no evidence to prove that Hopkins knew he was assaulting a public official or that he used a weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury.
Hopkins is still being held in jail on a $2,500 bond and will be back in court next week, with a jury trial scheduled for Sept. 17.
A Yuba County nonprofit organization is using a creative approach in an effort to decrease the risk of wildfires in the foothills that could be sparked by dragging tow chains. The unique solution comes from repurposing a piece of unusable fire equipment.“A lot of people don’t even know that a dragging chain can cause a fire,” said Smartsville Fire Protection District Captain Glen Ford. “They need to properly secure them and if they have the wherewithal, they can go to their local fire department and get used fire hose that go over the chains.”The Smartsville Fire Protection District is one of the distribution sites for the Yuba Watershed Protection and Fire Safe Council’s “No Spark” Tow Chain Program. The program repurposes fire hoses, turning them into chain covers for people who need tow trailers and boats behind their vehicles. The nonprofit organization works to educate community members about fire mitigation and watershed protection efforts. They launched the program after learning the danger even a small spark from a dragging chain can have in starting a wildfire. Assistant Cal Fire NEU Chief Landon Haack said this is something they see time and time again in the lower elevations. He said sparks flying from a dragging chain or a rim off its tire can cause dangerous sparks in grasslands. Haack said any effort to minimize the potential of that happening is appreciated by the agency. Johnny Escalante has owned boats for the better part of twenty years.“You can go up the river and find nice beaches. It’s super peaceful,” he said. Escalante said he keeps a close eye on the chains when he’s towing, ensuring they are tight enough not to drag on the ground.“I never really thought about the fire issue,” he said. “Fire out here is a major issue.”The team with the Yuba Watershed Protection & Fire Safe Council wants everyone who tows to know the risk, which is why the nonprofit started its tow chain cover program several years ago.The Yuba Water Agency supports those efforts by assisting the group with funding, distribution and marketing. “It only takes that one tiny spark and you can really do significant damage,” said DeDe Cordell, a spokesperson for the Yuba Water Agency. “It’s about reducing the risk to our communities and to our watershed. We can never 100% guarantee that there won’t be a fire.”Cordell thanked the organization for their efforts. “No Spark” tow chain covers are available at: Browns Valley Ray Bradley Feed Store Bullards Bar Reservoir Thousand Trails Campground Loma Rica Cal Fire station Dobbins Cal Fire Station Smartsville Volunteer Fire Station Dobbins Farmers Market- Saturdays From 10-2 Dobbins Fire Auxiliary Thrift Store Camptonville Lost Nugget Gas Station Brownsville Books and MoreSee more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.
YUBA COUNTY, Calif. —
A Yuba County nonprofit organization is using a creative approach in an effort to decrease the risk of wildfires in the foothills that could be sparked by dragging tow chains. The unique solution comes from repurposing a piece of unusable fire equipment.
“A lot of people don’t even know that a dragging chain can cause a fire,” said Smartsville Fire Protection District Captain Glen Ford. “They need to properly secure them and if they have the wherewithal, they can go to their local fire department and get used fire hose that go over the chains.”
The Smartsville Fire Protection District is one of the distribution sites for the Yuba Watershed Protection and Fire Safe Council’s “No Spark” Tow Chain Program. The program repurposes fire hoses, turning them into chain covers for people who need tow trailers and boats behind their vehicles.
The nonprofit organization works to educate community members about fire mitigation and watershed protection efforts. They launched the program after learning the danger even a small spark from a dragging chain can have in starting a wildfire.
Assistant Cal Fire NEU Chief Landon Haack said this is something they see time and time again in the lower elevations. He said sparks flying from a dragging chain or a rim off its tire can cause dangerous sparks in grasslands. Haack said any effort to minimize the potential of that happening is appreciated by the agency.
Johnny Escalante has owned boats for the better part of twenty years.
“You can go up the river and find nice beaches. It’s super peaceful,” he said.
Escalante said he keeps a close eye on the chains when he’s towing, ensuring they are tight enough not to drag on the ground.
“I never really thought about the fire issue,” he said. “Fire out here is a major issue.”
The team with the Yuba Watershed Protection & Fire Safe Council wants everyone who tows to know the risk, which is why the nonprofit started its tow chain cover program several years ago.
The Yuba Water Agency supports those efforts by assisting the group with funding, distribution and marketing.
“It only takes that one tiny spark and you can really do significant damage,” said DeDe Cordell, a spokesperson for the Yuba Water Agency. “It’s about reducing the risk to our communities and to our watershed. We can never 100% guarantee that there won’t be a fire.”
Cordell thanked the organization for their efforts.
(FOX40.COM) — The 24th annual Marysville Peach Festival will continue even after a massive fire destroyed the heart of the area where the event normally takes place. • Video Above: Historic Hotel Marysville destroyed by flames (June 15, 2024)
On June 15, a fire scorched through the historic Hotel Marysville at 420 5th Street. Since then, roads have remained closed and the building is blocked off 105 feet from each direction in case of a building collapse. The area is usually the annual host for the Marysville Peach Festival, so all of the chaos left some community members wondering if the peachy event would still happen.
“One thing that Marysville is great at is adapting and overcoming,” Marysville Peach Festival coordinator Kary Hauck told FOX40.com. “We made some minor modifications to the footprint and charged forward.”
The festival is scheduled to happen on July 19 and 20, two blocks away from its usual location. Attendees can expect the event to start just north of the 3rd and D street intersection and head north on D Street to 9th Street. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Street will be open to detoured traffic.
Hauck said the fire has not had a major impact on the festival, but some people are still fearful to be in the area.
“Don’t be afraid to come to Downtown Marysville,” Hauck said. “Caltrans, OES, and the city have done a really good job of managing the area. A fence has been installed to keep everyone safe, but I don’t think there’s a need to worry about a structural failure.”
The Marysville Peach Festival is expected to have dozens of delectable peach foods: hot dogs with peach relish, tri-tip sandwiches with peach barbecue sauce, peach shaved ice, peach jams and jellies, gyros with peach chutney, corndog with peach aioli, and more.
Visitors can also look forward to desserts, beverages, local bands, a peach pie eating contest, a children’s area, and more than 150 vendors.
“Your peachiest dreams are about to come true!” coordinators wrote on the event webpage.
In addition, Hauck said several downtown businesses have been struggling since the fire, so she hopes the festival will also provide the boost they need.
Downtown Marysville Traffic
As the event gets closer, Hauck said recommendations on navigating through Marysville for the Peach Festival will be released. She said the event’s webpage will include assistance on parking and tips to avoid traffic delays.
“Traffic is not as bad as some reports say,” Hauck said. “Caltrans has done a great job of providing detours, and I’ve actually been able to get through Marysville faster now than I have before.”
(FOX40.COM) — A massive fire that destroyed the historic Hotel Marysville in Northern California prompted a long-lasting road closure along Highway 70. •Video Above: Hotel Maryville destroyed by flames
“SR-70 (E Street) in downtown Marysville is closed for the foreseeable future,” said California Highway Patrol Yuba-Sutter. “Motorists, please be patient in traffic and leave much earlier for whatever you are driving to.”
At around 9:30 p.m. on June 15, Hotel Marysville, located right off of Highway 70 in Yuba County, went up in flames. Officials worry the damage may cause the building to collapse so nearby roads were closed. Linda Fire Protection District and Marysville Fire Chief Kyle Heggstrom told FOX40.com that a structural engineer will make a determination on the building’s integrity.
The California Department of Transportation recommends an alternate route to Highway 70/E Street in Marysville./Caltrans
The century-old hotel that’s been vacant since the 1980s could be torn down altogether.
“This could be an extended closure if the building, which opened in 1926, needs to be demolished,” Caltrans said on social media. “A detour is being developed for commercial trucks and will be shared when finalized. Use 99 as an alternate route.”
The California Department of Transportation provides an alternate route for big rig trucks traveling through Highway 70/E Street in Marysville./Caltrans
Highway 70 (E S Street) is closed from 3rd Street to 6th Street in Marysville. Although Caltrans provided alternate routes for everyday commuters to use, it said delays should still be expected along the detours.
(FOX40.COM) — Two homeless men were recently arrested in connection to a series of wire thefts and other crimes, according to the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office
“In response to the high number of wire theft crimes reported lately by unsuspecting victims, deputies with the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department set out this past Friday evening,” YCSO said in a press release.
On April 26, Yuba County deputies said they were on patrol in the more rural parts of the county when they observed two people on bicycles who matched the description of a recent wire theft suspect who was recorded on a trail camera. Deputies said the alleged culprits were a 23-year-old man and a 43-year-old-man who were both homeless.
The two men were arrested after evidence allegedly connected them to wire theft crimes, according to YCSO. They were book into the Yuba County jail under suspicion of grand theft, vandalism, burglary, and other related crimes.
