Where is the Sites Fire? What to know as Northern California blaze burns 10,000 acres

Hanh Truong, Camila Pedrosa, Sarah Linn
·2 min read

The Sites Fire burning in Northern California had scorched about 10,000 acres as of Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire.

It was one of two sustained wildfires burning on the border of the capital region.

Here’s what to know so far:

Where is the Sites Fire in Northern California?

The Sites Fire began at 1:39 p.m. Monday at Sites Lodoga Road and Wilson Creek, in Lodoga in Colusa County, according to Cal Fire.

The community of Lodoga has a population of about 200 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The fire was burning 73 miles northwest of Sacramento and 47 miles west of Yuba City and neighbors the East Park Reservoir.

As of Tuesday, the Sites Fire was spreading east of East Park Reservoir in rural territory.

Why did wildfire start in Colusa County?

The cause of the blaze remained under investigation as of Tuesday morning.

The Sites Fire burns in Colusa County, California, as seen by a Cal Fire camera on Saint John Mountain shortly after 3:15 p.m. Monday, June 17, 2024. Cal Fire officials said the fire was spreading rapidly, driven by wind.
The Sites Fire burns in Colusa County, California, as seen by a Cal Fire camera on Saint John Mountain shortly after 3:15 p.m. Monday, June 17, 2024. Cal Fire officials said the fire was spreading rapidly, driven by wind.

How many acres has Sites Fire burned?

According to Cal Fire spokesperson Jason Clay, the Sites Fire had burned about 10,000 acres and was 0% contained as of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Clay said that winds of 10 to 20 mph, accompanied by low relative humidity, fueled the fire.

As of midday Tuesday, fire crews were prioritizing slowing down the fire’s progress to the east, setting up control lines in the eastern zone of the blaze, Clay said.

The western end of the fire still had potential to grow, he said, adding that crews have made significant progress reinforcing lines to the west.

Who’s been ordered to evacuate?

Evacuations were ordered for homes and ranches in the following areas

  • Leesville Lodoga Road to Leesville

  • Leesville to Huffmaster Road

  • Huffmaster Road to Sites

  • Leesville Road to Antelope Valley Ranch and parcels north of Antelope Valley Ranch

  • Sites Lodoga Road at Sites

There was also a “hard road closure” in place for Sites Lodoga Road at Sites.

An evacuation center was set up at the Colusa Veterans Hall at 100 East Main St.

What are other wildfires burning in the region?

As of Tuesday morning, the Aero Fire had burned about 5,425 acres in Calaveras County, Cal Fire said.

The wildfire, which started at 3:23 p.m. Monday, was 20% contained.

The Douglas Fire in Sacramento County had burned 327 acres as of Tuesday morning and was 0% contained, according to Cal Fire.

A fire left unattended at a homeless encampment sparked the blaze around 2 p.m. Monday at Douglas Road and Grant Line Road near Rancho Cordova, The Sacramento Bee reported.

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