Incident Update TCU September Lightning Complex

Date:
09/03/2025
Time:
8:53 AM
CALFIRETCU

Media Line: 209-754-5527

Incident Facts

Name
TCU September Lightning Complex
Start Date/Time
2025-09-02
Incident Status
Active
Location
Multiple locations across Calaveras and Tuolumne County
Type
Wildfire
Cause
Lightning
Counties
Calaveras, Tuolumne
Administration Unit
CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit
Unified Command Agency(s)
Size
12,473
Containment
0%
Structures Threatened
Structures Destroyed
Structures Damaged
Civilian Injuries
Firefighter Injuries
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

This series of fires within CAL FIRE/Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit contains 22 distinct fires that occurred around the time of a lightning storm that passed through the area. Multiple ground and air resources have arrived, totaling 634 personnel. Additional ground and air resources are on order, and will be engaged on the fire lines as soon as they arrive. The fire has exhibited active runs in critically dry tall grass, brush, and timber fuels. The terrain is challenging to access, requiring fire crews to hike in by foot to many remote locations. A number of structures have been damaged or destroyed, and a Damage Inspection Team is on order. Weather conditions continue to be a challenge to crews as gusty winds remain in the area from nearby thunderstorm cells.

Multiple communities continue to be at risk, including ancestral tribal lands, and evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. Type 1 CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 6 has been ordered, with transition of command expected later today (9/3/2025).
The TCU September Lighting Complex consists of:

News Releases

Evacuation Zones

Evacuation Information:

Evacuation Orders

Evacuation Orders issued for the following zones: 

2-7 Fire

  • CCU-133-B
  • CCU-134
  • CCU-134-C
  • CCU-134-D
  • CCU-134-E

6-5 Fire

  • Chinese Camp Town
  • Six Bit Ranch Road
  • Six Bit Gulch Road
  • Red Hill Road
  • Don Pedrro Dam Road
  • Old Don Pedro Dam Road
  • Menkee Hess Road
  • All roads East of Highway 108 from Junction 59 to Highway 49
  • Both sides of highway 120 from Chinese Camp to Highway 120 Bridge
  • Rojo 
  • Shawmut Road

Evacuation Warnings

Evacuation Warnings issued for the following zones: 

2-7 Fire

  • CCU-114
  • CCU-115
  • CCU-132-A
  • CCU-133-C
  • CCU-143-B

6-5 Fire

  • All Areas from Bell Mooney & Jacksonville Road
  • West to Highway 49 and Highway 108 South to Old Jacksonville Road

Evacuation Shelters

Calaveras County:

Bret Harte High School
323 South Main Street
Altaville, CA 95221

Tuolumne County:

Sonora Senior Center
540 Greenley Road
Sonora, CA 95370

Animal Evacuation Shelters

Calaveras County:

Livestock only-

  • Calaveras County Fairgrounds Livestock Evacuation Center
    101 Frogtown Road
    Angels Camp, 95222

Small, domestic pets-

  • Bret Harte High School
    323 South Main Street
    Altaville, CA 95221

Tuolumne County:

Sonora Senior Center : Pets are allowed and animal control is on scene assisting
540 Greenley Road
Sonora, CA 95370