3 firefighters injured, 50 structures threatened as crews fight wildfire in Nevada County

Firefighters in northwest Nevada County are working to control a wildfire that began Tuesday, aiming to keep the blaze out of the Yuba River drainage and neighboring Yuba County, authorities said.

According to Cal Fire Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit Chief Brian Estes, upwards of 750 fire personnel are currently battling the wildfire north of Rice’s Crossing.

At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Estes said that the fire had charred 904 acres. Firefighters made progress and had 10% containment on the fire and were keeping the flames from spreading into Yuba County, Estes said.

“Right now, the fire is holding in Nevada County,” Estes said Wednesday evening. “Just an incredible effort in some of the most unforgiving and treacherous terrain in our region.”

He said weather conditions should become more favorable with increased humidity and cooler temperatures, but the area is “far from being out of the woods.”

“We have a lot of communities and private properties that are threatened to the north and northeast of this fire, so right now, this is the number one priority in our agency across the state of California,” Estes said at a Wednesday morning briefing with firefighters.

The fire has destroyed four structures, which Cal Fire NEU unit spokeswoman Mary Eldridge said included one central building and three nearby outbuildings. Fifty structures are currently threatened by the blaze, she said.

Mandatory evacuations remain in place for zones NCO-E029 (French Corral), NCO-E329 (Birchville, Sweetland), CSP-E028 (Rice’s Crossing) and NCO-E383 (Buttermilk area). The orders affect roughly 300 people, firefighters said. Evacuation warnings and advisories also remain in place in several areas.

Evacuation centers are open at the Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City; and for animals at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11310 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley.

Rices Fire map

Source: National Interagency Fire Center

Eldridge said the wildfire was very narrow and burning toward the Yuba River drainage, explaining that the canyons below the blaze were brush-filled and fuel to flames.

“As things burn up high on ridges, they tend to roll downhill, so our firefighters are faced with that as well.” Eldridge said.

Three firefighters have been injured, Estes said. All firefighters suffered heat illness-related injuries and have been treated and released from the hospital. There have been no other reported injuries.

Officials said the fire began with a burning building, which spread to vegetation. Estes said the cause of the structure fire was under investigation.

The National Weather Service in Sacramento said smoke from the fire could affect air quality in the foothills and northern Sierra.