A wildfire in northern California that started off relatively-small has now exploded, becoming the state’s largest of the year.
The Biscar Fire, located in Lassen County, burned only 4,000 acres after it was first reported Saturday, but has now scorched over 30,000 acres prompting mass evacuations of more than 300 square miles in Lassen County.
The Biscar Fire was first reported around noon Saturday on Snowstorm Road and Vincent Canyon, 24 miles northeast of Susanville, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The first orders to evacuate the area arrived in the first six hours.
The fire reached 46 square miles by Sunday evening, and was only 5% contained, according to CalFire. The department said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The California Department of Transportation said that Highway 395 is closed in the area close to the fire.
Before the Biscar, the state’s biggest fire of the year was the Santa Rosa Island Fire in Santa Barbara, in May, which burned 18,379 acres.
For the latest on what’s happening with the fire and evacuation orders, check out CalFire’s website. Lassen County sheriff‘s Facebook page is also providing updates.
