Evacuation orders lifted as containment grows on Rices Fire

NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. (KOLO) - JULY 4 UPDATE: Evacuation orders have been lifted as containment grows on the Rices Fire.

It is now 65 percent contained after burning about 900 acres. At one point, about 500 homes and buildings were threatened. Road closures in Nevada and Yuba counties have also been lifted.

According to Cal Fire, the fire destroyed 5 homes and 8 other structures.

It’s expected to be fully contained by Tuesday, July 5.

JULY 3 UPDATE: Containment on the Rices Fire jumped to 45 percent, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention reported Sunday.

The fire remains at 904 acres.

So far, only one structure has been destroyed.

There are 85 fire engines and 373 personnel on the Nevada County fire.

JULY 2 UPDATE: Containment on the Rices Fire has increased to 26 percent. The fire remains 904 acres.

So far only one structure has been destroyed.

JUNE 30 EVENING: CalFire reports the Rices Fire was 20 percent contained Thursday night. It remained 904 acres.

So far one structure has been destroyed.

The cause remains under investigation.

There are 65 fire engines and 373 personnel assigned to the fire.

JUNE 30 MORNING: The Rices Fire burning in Nevada County is 12 percent contained Thursday morning.

Cooler weather and humidity overnight helped firefighters gain ground on the fire which has not increased in acreage, Cal Fire reported.

The fire remains east of the Yuba River and crews are working to keep it from crossing into Yuba County.

ORIGINAL STORY: Smoke and haze over Reno Wednesday is likely from a wildfire burning in Nevada County, the National Weather Service in Reno reported.

More than 750 personnel are working the Rices Fire which started Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at Rices Crossing Road and Cranston Road south of Dobbins.

More than 900 acres have burned and the fire is zero percent contained, according to Cal Fire. At least four structures have burned.

Evacuation orders are in place for Bridgeport, Rice’s Crossing, French Corral, Birchville, Sweetland, and the Buttermilk area.

The Nevada County Fairgrounds are open for evacuees, as well as the Madelyn Helling Library in Nevada City.

Watch Wednesday’s latest update from fire officials here:

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