Zogg Fire Burns 7,000 Acres In Northern California, Forces Mandatory Evacuations

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents in Shasta County after a wildfire that broke out Sunday burned 7,000 acres.

Cal Fire responded to the Zogg Fire that began north of Igo near Zogg Mine Road and was initially about 50 acres in size, the agency said in a tweet. Within an hour, the fast-moving fire reached 400 acres and was said to have burned nearly 7,000 acres as of 7.30 p.m. EDT Sunday.

The evacuation orders as a result of the fire were issued for the nearby areas along the Gas Point corridor. All residents along Gas Point Road to Foster Drive were ordered to vacate their homes, Cal Fire tweeted.

Evacuation orders were also issued for the areas ranging from Platina Road west to Tehama County line. Authorities are calling for more evacuations as strong northeastern winds are sweeping across Northern California.

A red flag warning about “critical fire weather conditions” was issued for nearly the entire region Sunday amid the presence of “dry and gusty” winds, the National Weather Service reported.

The Zogg Fire also prompted the closure of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, a nature preserve located about 170 miles north of Sacramento, The Sacramento Bee reported.

A tweet by the AlertWildfire Camera Network showed thick smoke billowing into the sky as the Zogg Fire pummeled the small town of Igo, where about 700 people live.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Meanwhile, California is also battling another wildfire, called "Glass Fire," which broke out early Sunday in Napa Valley, consuming more than 2,500 acres by evening, ABC7 reported.

As of Sunday, the fires such as the Zogg Fire, Glass Fire, Creek Fire, North Complex, August Complex, LNU Lightning Complex, and SCU Lightning Complex have burned over 305,881 acres in northern California, with 78% containment. At least 855 structures have been destroyed and 4,576 are threatened. No containment information on the Zogg Fire has been reported.