Wildfire with dangerous rate of spread leads to evacuations in Nevada County

Flames were spreading at a dangerous rate Wednesday near Smartsville in Nevada County, prompting sheriff’s officials to issue a mandatory evacuation for some in the area.

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Firefighters on Wednesday afternoon were responding to the Mooney Fire near Smartsville, off of Mooney Flat Road and Highway 20 in Nevada County’s Penn Valley, the Cal Fire Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit announced in social media posts.

At 1:44 p.m., Cal Fire officials said the wildfire had burned about 25 acres with a dangerous rate of spread. Cal Fire officials had requested additional resources to battle the fast-moving blaze that was threatening at least one structure in the area.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation order for zone NCO-E010 in the area of Lombardi Drive and Kirk Way in Smartsville. Sheriff’s Officials said anyone in this area should evacuate immediately.

The Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation warning for zones NCO-E017, NCO-E012, NCO-E011, NCO-E150, asking anyone in those areas to prepare for evacuation or leave if extra time is required.

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Sheriff’s officials road closures were in place at Wild Turkey Lane and Highway 20 intersections. Anyone evacuating was urged to follow directives from law enforcement officials.

The fire is burning near the Nevada-Yuba county line. Yuba County authorities just before 2:15 p.m. said evacuation warnings were in place for zones YUB-E063 and YUB-E045.

A temporary evacuation staging point was being set up at the Penn Valley Library, 11252 Pleasant Valley Road, Nevada and Yuba county authorities said.

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This story was originally published July 22, 2026 at 2:24 PM.