UPDATE, SATURDAY 12:45 p.m.: Both Calfire and the USFS now have the Ruth Fire up on their respective incident report systems; Calfire currently appears to be more up-to-date, reporting the fire at 1,300 acres and 20 percent contained. The Forest Service, which is the lead agency, has more background.
Locals are posting updates and photos on a Ruth Lake Facebook fan page.
UPDATE 8:44 p.m.: Information is still pitifully sparse, with neither the US Forest Service Inciweb system nor the Calfire incidents page reporting anything on the fire. KRCR News reports that agencies are now calling it the “Ruth Fire,” and are urging affected locals to decamp to Mad River. Dottie Simmons of Simmons Naturals, a very trustworthy friend of the LoCO who lives out 36, reports that the Red Cross is setting up an evacuation center in that town. The Redding Record-Searchlight has a bit more detail.
UPDATE, 5:05 p.m: Well, it appears that we are not going to get that call-back from the Six Rivers National Forest fire information office. We’ll check in throughout the evening, though, and post any new information we might find.
UPDATE, 4:13 p.m.: The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office confirms that the entire town of Ruth has been evacuated. A spokesperson there estimates that about 50 homes have been evacuated; possibly more. She said that the fire is now believed to be around 500 acres in size. The U.S. Forest Service is the lead agency battling the blaze.
UPDATE, 3:47 p.m.: Jack Levitt of the Southern Trinity Volunteer Fire District, Mad River station, says that the fire is burning just southeast side the town. He confirmed that three sturctures have been destroyed so far. All his equipment has been sent to fight the fire save one engine. His squad is standing ready in case the fire should spread toward their region.
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Radio listeners are reporting that a large fire is currently burning in or near the town of Ruth. Calfire is confirming, via Twitter, that it has been called in by Six Rivers National Forest to assist. KMUD News is saying that the current size of the fire is estimated at around 200 acres.
Pam Peace of the Mad River Burger Barn, a listener to The Point, just spoke with the Lost Coast Outpost. She said that it is her understanding that the entire town of Ruth is being evacuated. Three homes have been destroyed by the fire, she said, and at least three other property owners are battling to save their properties. Brown’s Camp, a popular camping spot, has been decimated, she said.
For those unfamiliar, which until recently included myself: The town of Ruth is just past the lake itself.
More information as it comes.
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