PRATHER — As excessive heat, steep terrain and extremely dry vegetation hamper fire suppression efforts, the Goose Fire has now grown to 1,800 acres, still with just 5 percent containment.
The fire continues to move to the southeast, and firefighters will work through the night to construct and strengthen containment lines.
The number of personnel assigned to the incident has grown to 1,328, including 28 crews, 9 helicopters, 12 dozers and 21 water tenders. Cal Fire Incident Management Team 5 has been activated to assist the Fresno Kings Unit.
The Goose Fire started on Saturday afternoon, and is burning just south of Prather off Gooseberry Lane and Morgan Canyon.
About 200 structures are threatened, nearly 300 homes have been ordered to evacuate, and “multiple” structures have been damaged or destroyed.
Fire activity and direction can change at any time, so residents are urged to be prepared and stay informed. Motorists are advised to please drive cautiously while driving near the fire area where heavy equipment and fire engines are traveling to and from the fire.
With the elevated fire danger, everyone is also urged to learn more on how to prepare for wildfires at www.readyforwildfire.org.
EVACUATIONS:
MANDATORY –
Hwy 168 @ Lockwood to Gooseberry including homes accessed by Gooseberry and Lockwood
Black Mt. area including Whispering Springs Land to Lodge Road
Everything South of the 4-lanes at Hwy 168 to lodge and everything west of Old Tollhouse Road
Gooseberry and Sky Ridge Lane east to Lodge Road including Black Mountain
WARNING –
Hwy 168 from Lockwood to bottom of the 4-lanes @ Hwy 168 & Lodge Road
Hwy 168 from Gooseberry Lane to Nicholas
Nicholas and Tollhouse to Tollhouse and Lodge
All Roads North of Tollhouse and East of Hwy 168
ROAD CLOSURES
- Gooseberry at Morgan Canyon
- Lockwood at Morgan Canyon
- Black Mountain Road at Lodge Road
- Wintermute at Lodge
- Whispering Springs at Lodge
An evacuation center has been setup by Red Cross at Foothill Middle School located at 29147 Auberry Road in Prather.
A large animal evacuation center has been setup at Sierra High School 33326 Lodge Road in Tollhouse.
For assistance with small animal evacuation call 559-433-9663.
Public Information Line: (559) 790-6374
