Butte Fire is 40% contained; 71,780 acres burned

6:15 p.m. update 9/15/15:

New evacuation advisories were put up at the scene of the large Butte Fire on Tuesday.

The corridor along Hwy 49 from the Amador County Line south to the city limits of Angels Camp and all areas east of Hwy 49 that were previously released are now under an advisory. The areas southeast of Calaveritas Road to Costa Road. The areas along Fricot City Road along the southside to Sheep Ranch Road. The areas South of Avery Sheep Ranch Road to Morris Road in Avery. The town of Murphys, Forrest Meadows, Avery and along the Hwy 4 corridor from Avery to Arnold, including the town of Arnold.

Fire behavior remained minimal throughout the day helping crews continue to progress with perimeter control. The evacuations in Amador County have been reduced to an advisory, allowing residents to return to their homes.

71,780 acres have burned so far and the fire is 40% contained.

So far, 233 residences, 175 outbuildings, 15 structures have been damaged in the fire.

7:15 p.m. update 9/15/15:

Cooler temperatures will aid firefighters today as they fight the Butte Fire which now has a line around 37% of it. To date, 71,660 acres have been burned.

Evacuated residents will continue to return home, but authorities want to warm non-residents that they will not be allowed in the fire area.

The fire has damaged 166 residences, 116 outbuildings and 12 structures.

Donation centers are in need of plastic tubs so they can start sorting the large number of donations.

10:15 p.m. update 9/14/15:

The large Butte fire burning east of Jackson has damaged 166 residences, 116 outbuildings and 12 structures.

The fire is 35% contained and 71,523 acres burned.

Fire behavior remained moderate throughout the day moving southeast allowing crews to be more effective in perimeter control. Firefighters continue to fight the fire aggressively but critical fuel moisture levels, steep terrain, and limited fire access continue to provide challenges.

Phase III for re-population has begun:

The following evacuation areas have been lifted and are open to RESIDENTS ONLY, however, this area
will remain under an evacuation advisory.
(Calaveras County) Town of San Andreas
• Gold Strike Rd through Pope St. to Mountain Ranch Road
• Mountain Ranch Rd west to Hwy 49
• Hwy 49 north to SR 26 (Mokelumne Hill) continuing northbound Hwy 49 to the
Calaveras/Amador County line (only in unburned areas)

Additional Road Closure:
• Leonard Rd at Gold Strike Road in San Andreas

7:30 a.m. update 9/14/15:

The air quality in South Lake Tahoe is in the "unhealthy" range Monday morning as smoke from the large Butte Fire continues to be blown into the Basin. There is a 155 AQI this morning on the South Shore.

The Butte Fire has burned 71,063 acres and is now 30% contained.

135 residences 79 outbuildings have burned along with 4 structures that were damaged.

The second phase has begun for residents being allowed back to their homes.

The following evacuation areas have been lifted and are open to RESIDENTS ONLY:
 Highway 49 at the Amador county line south to Highway 26, east along Highway 26 to Italian
Vista – areas outside of the burned area
 6766, 6800, 6816, 6851, 6961, 6979, 7000 Italian Vista Drive
 Residents of 8869 and 8895 Highway 26
 The Main Street area of Mokelumne Hill to include:
o Big Bar Road, Gold Rush Lane, Loan Lane, Sunshine Lane, W. Center Street, Old Toll
Road, Miwok Trail, Munoz Road, Victor Court, Campo Seco Turnpike / Mokelumne Hill
Campo Seco Turnpike, Sierra Lane, Easy Bird Road, E. Center Street
 The following roads in the Angels Camp, Murphys, Avery and Arnold areas:
o The southwest side of Calaveritas Road from Mountain Ranch Road south to the
intersection of Calaveritas and Costa Roads.
o Cosgrove Road
o Meacham Ranch Road
o Haskill Lane
o Lumpy Lane
o Bruner Hill Road
o Coppello Drive
o Deer Creek Road
o Dogtown Road
o Schmauder Mine Road
o Gardner Lane
o French Gulch Road, including the Darby subdivision
 All areas north and west of Highway 4 along Angels Camp, Murphys, Avery and Arnold are open
to San Domingo Road, Sheep Ranch Road, and Esmeralda Roads.
 The following subdivisions:
o Northwood Drive subdivision
o Lakemont Drive subdivision
o Meadowmont subdivision
o Mill Woods and White Pines

Over 4,400 firefighters are working on the fire.

7:05 a.m. update 9/13/15:

The Butte Fire burning east of Jackson and Mokelumne Hill in the Sierra foothills has consumed 65,250 acres and is now 20% contained.

Total Fire Personnel: 4,163
Total Fire Engines: 474
Total Fire crews: 79
Total Helicopters: 17
Total Dozers: 102
Total Water Tenders: 55
Structures Destroyed: 86 homes, 51 outbuildings

7:15 p.m. update 9/12/15:

Damage Assessment teams arrived at the Butte Fire on Saturday and started evaluations of damaged and destroyed structures. 86 homes and 51 outbuildings have been destroyed and 6,400 more are threatened as the Butte Fire ended its fourth day of destruction.

65,000 acres have burned and the 3,852 firefighters working on the fire have a containment line around 15% of the fire's perimeter.

Mandatory Evacuation Orders:
Please leave the area immediately if you live in the following areas: San Andreas at Pope, West Murray Creek, Lewis, Miller, San Andreas Elementary, Goldstrike, Mountain Ranch East to Windmill, Wimbledon Drive, Forest Hill, and Turner Court.

(Amador County) Canyon View, Fig Tree Lane, and Ponderosa Way; the Town of Pine Grove to include all areas South of Hwy 88 from West Clinton Road, East to Ranch Drive. Inclusive of the Communities of Ranch House Estates, Pine Acres, Jackson Pines, Pine Drove Ranchettes and Lake Tabeau.

(Calaveras County) Town of Mokelumne Hill, East of Hwy 49 from the Amador/Calaveras County line South to Goldstrike Road. South on Goldstrike Road to the Community of San Andreas. Rural areas East of San Andreas to Mountain Ranch Road. Mountain Ranch Road to Calaveritas Road to Fourth Crossing. Fourth Crossing to Hwy 49. East side of Hwy 49 South to North side of Hwy 4 (Angels Camp). North side of Hwy 4 East to Town of Arnold. All of SR 26 from Mokelumne Hill North to the Amador/Calaveras County line. To include the communities of Glencoe, Westpoint, and Wilseyville.

Evacuations Advisories:

(Amador County) Hwy 88 from Ranch Road East to Tiger Creek Road (Red Corral and Buckhorn Areas).

(Calaveras County) City of Angels Camp, Hwy 49 South to Hwy 4 South at the city limits of Angels Camp. Town of Arnold, Northwest of Hwy 4 includes sub-divisions of Lakemont, Mill Woods and Meadowmont. Hwy 4 North to Sheep Ranch Road/Blue Lake Springs sub-division, Big Trees State Park, Town of Dorrington, Town of Murphys and Forest Meadows. Town of San Andreas. Poole Station Road, Carroll Kennedy Road, Cement Plant Road, Demearest Mine Road, Oak Valley Road, Gelding Road, Stallion Road, Deer Creek Road, Copello Road.

Evacuation Centers:

Red Cross: Debbie Calcote 209-346-1854

Jackson Rancheria Hotel, 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson, CA

Jenny Lind Veterans Hall, 189 Pine Street, Valley Springs, CA

Good Samaritan Church, 4684 Baldwin Street, Valley Springs, CA

Large Animal Pet Shelters: (Calaveras) Calaveras County Fairgrounds (Amador) Amador County Fairgrounds, contact Kelly Reason at 530-503-5233

7:15 a.m. update:

The Butte Fire burning east of the town of Jackson is now 10% contained. There was no new reported size this morning as officials report 64,728 acres have burned.

15 structures have been lost with another 6,400 remained threatened as the head of the fire continues to progress at a rapid rate, especially when in open grass areas because of the wind. There has been complete consumption of fuels over slopes and ridges influenced by the wind.

3,299 personnel are working on the scene with 383 engines, 67 crews, 8 airtankers, 17 helicopters, 62 dozers and 46 water tenders.

Mandatory Evacuation Orders:

(Amador County) Canyon View, Fig Tree Lane, and Ponderosa Way; the Town of Pine Grove to include all areas South of Hwy 88 from West Clinton Road, East to Ranch Drive. Inclusive of the Communities of Ranch House Estates, Pine Acres, Jackson Pines, Pine Drove Ranchettes and Lake Tabeau

(Calaveras County) (Calaveras County) Town of Mokelumne Hill, East of Hwy 49 from the Amador/Calaveras County line South to Goldstrike Road. South on Goldstrike Road to the Community of San Andreas. Rural areas East of San Andreas to Mountain Ranch Road. Mountain Ranch Road to Calaveritas Road to Fourth Crossing. Fourth Crossing to Hwy 49. East side of Hwy 49 South to North side of Hwy 4 (Angels Camp). North side of Hwy 4 East to Town of Arnold. All of SR 26 from Mokelumne Hill North to the Amador/Calaveras County line. To include the communities of Glencoe, Westpoint, and Wilseyville.

9:45 p.m. update 9/11/15:

The Butte Fire burning out of control near the town of Jackson, CA has consumed 64,728 acres and remains at 5% contained tonight. 6,400 structures are threatened by the advancing flames as fire behavior remained extreme throughout the day Friday with rapid, uncontrolled fire growth to the south and east.

Cal Fire changed the mandatory evacuation order for the town of San Andreas, warning residents to be prepared. The towns of Pine Grove, Mokelumne Hill, Glencoe, Westpoint, and Wilseyville have been evacuated as well as dozens of neighborhoods.

Fire officials have issued an evacuation advisory for the town of Angels Camp.

Mandatory Evacuations:
(Amador County) Canyon View, Fig Tree Lane, and Ponderosa Way; the Town of Pine Grove to include all areas South of Hwy 88 from West Clinton Road, East to Ranch Drive. Inclusive of the Communitiesof Ranch House Estates, Pine Acres, Jackson Pines, Pine Drove Ranchettes and Lake Tabeau.

(Calaveras County) Town of Mokelumne Hill, East of Hwy 49 from the Amador/Calaveras County line South to Goldstrike Road. South on Goldstrike Road to the Community of San Andreas. Rural areas East of San Andreas to Mountain Ranch Road. Mountain Ranch Road to Calaveritas Road to Fourth Crossing. Fourth Crossing to Hwy 49. East side of Hwy 49 South to North side of Hwy 4 (Angels Camp). North side of Hwy 4 East to Town of Arnold. All of SR 26 from Mokelumne Hill North to the Amador/Calaveras County line. To include the communities of Glencoe, Westpoint, and Wilseyville.

Evacuation Advisories:
(Amador County) Hwy 88 from Ranch Road East to Tiger Creek Road (Red Corral and Buckhorn Areas). (Calaveras County) City of Angels Camp, Hwy 49 South to Hwy 4 South at the city limits of Angels Camp. Town of Arnold, Northwest of Hwy 4 includes sub-divisions of Lakemont, Mill Woods and Meadowmont. Hwy 4 North to Sheep Ranch Road/Blue Lake Springs sub-division, Big Trees State Park, Town of Dorrington, Town of Murphys and Forest Meadows. Town of San Andreas. Poole Station
Road, Carroll Kennedy Road, Cement Plant Road, Demearest Mine Road, Oak Valley Road, Gelding Road, Stallion Road, Deer Creek Road, Copello Road.

6:30 p.m. update 9/11/15:

The out of control Butte Fire burning in the mountains east of Jackson doubled in size during the day on Friday. 64,728 acres have now burned and the fire dropped in containment to just 5%.

The Town of San Andreas is under a mandatory evacuation. Emergency officials are asking the public to adhere to this order and evacuate the area immediately due to rapid and explosive fire conditions.

6,400 structures are threatened. So far, 6 structures have burned along with 2 outbuildings.

Over 2,400 firefighters are battling the blaze which showed extreme fire behavior Friday.

There are many mandatory evacuations: (Calaveras County) Boston Yale Subdivision from East SR 26 to Ponderosa Way, Easy Bird Road, Sierra Lane, Thadeus Court, Center Street; SR 26 from Highway 49 to Railroad Flat to include all sides of the street; Jesus Maria from Hwy 26 to Railroad Flat to include all sides of the streets North of Jesus Maria and South to Doster Road/West Murray Creek Road and East of Hawver Road.

(Amador County) Canyon View, Fig Tree Lane, and Ponderosa Way; The Town of Pine Grove to include all areas South of Highway 88 at Ranch Road and East of West Clinton and East Clinton Road.

Evacuations Warnings: (Calaveras County) Mokelumne Hill (with the exception of Easy Bird Road, Sierra Lane, Thadeus Court, Center Street which are under a mandatory evacuation order)

Evacuation Centers:(Amador) Jackson Rancheria Hotel in conjunction with Red Cross (Calaveras) San Andreas Town Hall and Calaveras County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp

Large Animal/Pet Shelters: (Calaveras) Calaveras County Fairgrounds, contact TBD (Amador County) Amador County Fairgrounds, contact Kelly Reason 530-503-5233

6:45 a.m. update 9/11/15:

1,500 structures are now threatened as the Butte Fire burning east of Jackson, CA continues to grow. This morning, fire officials updated statistics on the fire, showing the size tripled since Thursday afternoon and has now burned 31,974 acres.

Six structures have burned as well as two outbuildings.

805 fire fighting personal from numerous agencies are now trying to put out the fire which has shown extreme behavior with rapid, uncontrolled fire growth. Their suppression efforts had minimal impacts due to a high focus on structure defense according to CalFire, the lead agency. Continued hot and dry weather conditions limited their nighttime recovery, normally an ideal time to get control of a fire.

Evacuation centers are set up at the Jackson Rancheria Hotel, San Andreas Town Hall, and Calaveras County Fairgrounds.

Large Animal pet shelters are set up at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds and for Amador County Fairgrounds, contact Kelly Reason at 530-503-5233.

Mandatory evacuations expanded throughout the day Thursday as the fire perimeter grew. More evacuations are anticipated as the fire behavior continues to impact additional areas. Mandatory Evacuations are as follows:

(Calaveras County) Jesus Maria from Hwy SR 26 to Railroad Flat to include all side streets North of Jesus Maria and South to Doster Road / West Murray Creek Road and East of Hawver Road; Ridge Rd North to SR 26, Associated Office, Woodhouse Mine with Railroad Flat as Eastern Boundary; Hawver Road at Gold Strike East to Doster Rd.; Whiskey Slide Rd North of Mountain Ranch Rd to Jesus Maria / Whiskey Slide East to Railroad Flat Rd. Town of Mountain Ranch South of Mountain Ranch Rd and Alpine Areas of Mountain Ranch; Sierra Vista Lookout Rd., West Murray Creek Rd. to Doster Rd., Murray Dale Lane (Entire Road); Leonard Rd Subdivision

(Amador County) Canyon View, Fig Tree Lane, and Ponderosa Way; The Town of Pine Grove to include all areas South of Hwy 88 at Ranch Road and East of West Clinton and East Bird Road, Sierra Lane, Thadeus Court, Center Street; SR 26 from Hwy 49 to Railroad Flat to include all sides of the street; Jesus Maria from Hwy 26 to Railroad Flat to include all sides of the streets North of Jesus Maria and South to Doster Rd.

Road Closures are as follows:
(Calaveras County) Railroad Flat at Sheep Ranch Rd.; Mountain Ranch at Whiskey Slide; Independence and Railroad Flat. SR 26 and Hwy 49 at Mokelumne Hill East to Ridge Road, SR 26 and Ponderosa Road, SR 26 and Jesus Maria; SR 26 at Hwy 49, SR 26 at Lower Dorray Road.

(Amador County) Clinton Road at Butte Mountain Road (Both Ends) Butte Mountain Road Cutoff at Clinton Road. Amador Lane at Clinton Road, Electra at SR 49, Ponderosa Road at Tabeaud, Access to Lake Tabeaud is closed; Hwy 88 at W. Clinton Road, Hwy 88 at Irish Town Road, Hwy 88 at Tabeaud Road, Hwy 88 at Aqueduct Circle, Highway 88 at Mount Zion.

6:30 p.m. 9/10/15 Update:

The Butte Fire burning east of Jackson, CA exploded in size during the day on Thursday. At 10 a.m. it had burned 4,000 acres, but has grown to 14,700 acres this evening. Containment on the fire has been lost and has been reduced to just 10%.

So far, six structures have burned and well as two outbuildings.

There are numerous evacuations in place: Mandatory Evacuation Orders: (Calaveras County) Boston Yale Subdivision from East SR 26 to Ponderosa Way, Easy Bird Road, Sierra Lane, Thadeus Court, Center Street; SR 26 from Highway 49 to Railroad Flat to include all sides of the street; Jesus Maria from Hwy 26 to Railroad Flat to include all sides of the streets North of Jesus Maria and South to Doster Road/West Murray Creek Road and East of Hawver Road.

(Amador County) Canyon View, Fig Tree Lane, and Ponderosa Way; The Town of Pine Grove to include all areas South of Highway 88 at Ranch Road and East of West Clinton and East Clinton Road.

Other areas are under evacuation warnings: (Calaveras County) Mokelumne Hill (with the exception of Easy Bird Road, Sierra Lane, Thadeus Court, Center Street which are under a mandatory evacuation order).

Evacuation Centers:(Amador) Jackson Rancheria Hotel in conjunction with Red Cross (Calaveras) San Andreas Town Hall and Calaveras County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp

Large Animal/Pet Shelters: (Calaveras) Calaveras County Fairgrounds, contact TBD (Amador County) Amador County Fairgrounds, contact Kelly Reason 530-503-5233

Roads are also closed in the fire area: Road Closures:(Amador County) Clinton Road at Butte Mountain Road (Both Ends) Butte Mountain Road Cutoff at Clinton Road. Amador Lane at Clinton Road, Electra at SR 49, Ponderosa Road at Tabeaud, Access to Lake Tabeaud is closed; Hwy 88 at W. Clinton Road, Hwy 88 at Irish Town Road, Hwy 88 at Tabeaud Road, Hwy 88 at Aqueduct Circle, Highway 88 at Mount Zion

(Calaveras County) SR 26 and Hwy 49 at Mokelumne Hill East to Ridge Road, SR 26 and Ponderosa Road, SR 26 and Jesus Maria; SR 26 at Hwy 49, SR 26 at Lower Dorray Road.

10 a.m. update 9/10:

Thousands of people are without power as the Butte Fire burning east of the town of Jackson grew to 4,000 acres this morning.

The fire is expanding in all directions through steep river drainages. The area is experiencing high heat and low humidity which is creating dangerous fire behavior when combined with the volatile dry and grassy oak woodland. The challenging terrain is causing problems for firefighters.

Amador-El Dorado CAL FIRE is being assisted by the Sacramento Regional Type III Incident Management Team. A CAL FIRE incident management team has been ordered.

Original story:
The Butte Fire burning in the Mokeloumne River drainage east of Jackson, CA has consumed 1,200 acres. Fire crews from Jackson City, Amador Fire Protection and USFS have been battling very steep terrain and hot temperatures since the fire started on Wednesday afternoon just before 2:40 p.m.

As of 8:24 p.m. Wednesday night, the fire is 30% contained.

The fire is burning to the east and has jumped across the river into Calarveras County. There are evacuations on Amador Lane, end of Electra and Charamuga Ranch Road,