Nelson Fire burns 275 acres in Butte County
Authorities had temporarily issued evacuation warnings
Authorities had temporarily issued evacuation warnings
Authorities had temporarily issued evacuation warnings
A vegetation fire burning in Butte County temporarily prompted evacuation warnings on Thursday afternoon, according to Cal Fire, the state's fire agency.
The Nelson Fire is burning near Nelson Road and Cottonwood Road between Highway 70 and Highway 99, authorities said.
It has burned about 275 acres and is 50% contained, Cal Fire said. However, containment is not a measure of how much of the fire is extinguished but rather how much of a perimeter around the fire is established to prevent it from spreading.
An evacuation warning was issued at 4:05 p.m. by the Butte County Sheriff's Office for those north of the Afterbay and south of Cottonwood Road in Zone 737. The warning has been lifted as of 6:15 p.m., the sheriff's office said.
When an evacuation warning is issued, that means fire behavior could threaten nearby homes and businesses. During a warning, evacuations aren't mandatory but they are encouraged.
Multiple air and ground crews are working to slow the spread of the fire and are making good progress on putting out flames, Cal Fire said.
This is a separate fire from the Sandra Fire also burning in Butte County on Thursday. That fire has forced evacuation orders.
It's unclear what caused either fire.
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