Lake County declares local emergency as Lucas Fire reaches 4,126 acres

The Lake County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 15 adopted a resolution declaring a local emergency for the Lucas Fire after the county's emergency director described rapid growth and ongoing risks. "Lucas Fire started on September 10 and quickly grew to 800 acres on that date... Currently, as we sit today, the fire is at 4,126 acres. It's 35% contained," the director of the Office of Emergency Services told the board, adding that CAL FIRE has about 2,700 personnel assigned and evacuation orders and warnings affected hundreds of residents.

County staff said roughly 700 residential structures were in areas under evacuation orders or warnings at the fire's peak and that, so far, no residential structures were reported lost. The county reported one critical infrastructure loss: the Hunter Point repeater system used by multiple agencies. Officials said they are pursuing short‑term portable repeater support and coordinating with Sonoma County for a mobile trailer repeater while longer‑term repairs are assessed. The board approved the emergency declaration unanimously and urged ongoing public updates and bilingual evacuation notices for Spanish speakers.