A mandatory evacuation order was issued after a grass fire sparked near Dunnigan in northwest Yolo County, prompting the closure of southbound Interstate 5 near the Yolo-Colusa county line.
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The fire was reported at about 1:22 p.m. near Dunnigan, according to the California Highway Patrol, and has burned at least 15 acres according to the Dunnigan Fire Protection District.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a caller reported two separate fires burning about a quarter-mile apart — one involving eucalyptus trees and one in a field. Another caller reported the fire was spreading and that black smoke was covering the northbound side of Interstate 5.
Evacuation orders were issued shortly after 2:30 p.m. for residents in the area bounded by County Roads 2, 6 and 88 and Interstate 5. A mandatory evacuation order indicates there is an immediate threat to life and residents must leave the area immediately.
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An evacuation center was established at Fire Station 12, 29145 Main St. in Dunnigan.
The fire also forced the closure of southbound Interstate 5 near the Yolo-Colusa county line. The CHP’s Williams office said traffic is being diverted onto County Road 99W.
Initial CHP logs indicated a caller reported the fire may have started after a black pickup truck suffered a tire blowout, spun off the roadway and caught fire. Officials have not confirmed the cause of the blaze.
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This is a developing story; check back with sacbee.com for updates.
