Update 7 a.m., Thursday: The fire has grown to 30.9 acres and containment has remained at 5%.
There are currently over 300 fire staff working the fire with more on the way Thursday, according to USFS-Tahoe National Forest.
(FOX40.COM) — Officials issued evacuation orders for part of Nevada County due to the Highway Fire, which broke out Wednesday afternoon near the community of Washington.
The fire was reported around 3:30 p.m. in an area about 80 miles northeast of Sacramento and 20 miles east of Grass Valley.
As of Wednesday evening, the fire was 25 acres in size and 5% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Evacuations were ordered in areas between the South Yuba River and Highway 20, from White Cloud Campground in the west to the community of Maybert in the east, as well as one area north of the river that includes the areas along Relief Hill Road and Spanish Mine Road.
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Areas northeast of the community of Maybert are under evacuation warnings, and residents there are being asked to be ready to evacuate as soon as officials determine it is necessary.
A temporary evacuation point has been set up at the Madelyn Helling Library in Nevada City.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reported that animals can be evacuated to Gate 8, Nevada County Fairgrounds – 11228 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley.
The fire is burning in an area of the Tahoe National Forest and efforts to control it are being led by the U.S. Forest Service, with assistance from CAL FIRE and local emergency officials.
Officials have yet to determine how the Highway Fire started.
A complex of fires in Siskiyou County has also prompted officials to issue evacuation orders and warnings to residents there.
