Evacuation Orders Issued In California, Arizona, Colorado As Wildfires Spread Over The Weekend

Evacuation orders have been issued in different areas across three states as several wildfires in the United States spread throughout the weekend. In particular, evacuation orders were issued Sunday in some parts of California, Arizona and Colorado.

In Wrightwood, which is located in the Californian county of San Bernardino, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office announced evacuation orders “from Wrightwood to Lone pine.” The sheriff’s office also said, “all of Wrightwood is under an evacuation warning.” The orders came as the Sheep Fire burned 775 acres and was contained at only 5% as of Sunday afternoon, KTLA reported.

A notice from local officials also stated that residents of Highway 2 to Mesquite St., from Highway 138 to Sand Canyon have also been placed under an evacuation order. Residents have been directed to an evacuation center established at Serrano High School in Sheep Creek.

In Arizona, as the Pipeline Fire burns about six miles north of Flagstaff, residents of Arizona Snowbowl and Schultz Pass Road have been issued a “GO” evacuation status, The Arizona Republic reported. The said evacuation status requires residents to leave their homes immediately.

Areas like Timberline South of Brandis and Doney Park, Mt. Elden Estates and Mt. Elden Lookout have been placed under the “SET” status, which means residents should prepare to evacuate anytime.

Officials of the Coconino National Forest said at least 150 fire personnel have been deployed to help contain the Pipeline Fire. They added that bulldozers, water tenders and local engines are also in the area to help with containment.

Meanwhile in Colorado, the Saguache County Office of Emergency Management said in a tweet that the Lopez Fire, located about 10 miles north of Del Norte, was burning “approximately 85 acres" as of Sunday. The office said all residents of LaGarita Creek are mandated to evacuate the area.

Garfield County tweeted Sunday night that Interstate 70 has been closed due to a new fire. Colorado’s Department of Homeland Security also confirmed that it is now “monitoring” the new wildfire in the area.

Earlier Sunday, the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, Colorado, warned of “widespread critical fire weather.” The agency added that most of eastern Utah and western Colorado have been placed under a Red Flag Warning. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, a Red Flag Warning is issued when weather events “may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours.”