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Lightning-Sparked TCU Complex Grows Past 5,500 Acres as Evacuations Hit Chinese Camp

Cal Fire consolidated lightning-started ignitions into one complex to streamline the response.

Overview

  • Cal Fire grouped nine lightning-caused fires across Tuolumne, Calaveras and Stanislaus into the TCU September Lightning Complex, estimated at roughly 5,548 acres.
  • The 6-5 Fire near Old Don Pedro Road surged to nearly 3,000 acres with no containment, prompting mandatory evacuations for Chinese Camp, Keystone and areas near Don Pedro Reservoir.
  • The 2-2 Fire near Highway 4 exceeded 1,300 acres; Highway 4 briefly closed between Escalon Bellota Road and Telegraph Road before reopening, and related evacuation orders were later lifted.
  • Additional incidents include the 2-7 Fire near Vallecito and the 2-8 Fire in Copperopolis, each around 500 acres, with evacuation zones posted and shelters opened at Bret Harte High School and Sonora Senior Center.
  • PG&E reported about 828 customers without power in the Copperopolis area earlier in the day, and smoke pushed air quality to less healthy levels in parts of Northern California.