Incident Update TCU September Lightning Complex

Date:: 09/03/2025
Time:: 1:26 PM

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: 13,371
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:

1-2 Fire: 20 acres
2-2 Fire: 3,462 acres / Visit the 2-2 Fire information page
2-3 Fire: 150 acres / Copper Cove Ct at Obyrnes Ferry Rd, Copperopolis
2-5 Fire: 5 acres
2-6 Fire: 5 acres
2-7 Fire: 591 acres / Visit the 2-7 Fire information page
2-8 Fire: 1,326 acres / Visit the 2-8 Fire information page
4-5 Fire: 3.25 acres / McCormick Meadows, South of Arnold
5-2 Fire: 15 acres / Lyons Bald Mountain Rd, Sonora
6-2 Fire: 951 acres / Visit the 6-2 Fire information page
6-3 Fire: 5 acres
6-5 Fire: 6,838 acres / Visit the 6-5 Fire information page

News Releases

California secures federal assistance to support response to the TCU Lightning Complex Fire in Calaveras County

Incident Photos and Videos

TCU September Lightning Complex Youtube

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