Incident Update TCU September Lightning Complex
- Date:
- 09/03/2025
- Time:
- 8:56 AM
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
- 11,977
- Containment
- 0%
- Structures Threatened
- Structures Destroyed
- Structures Damaged
- Civilian Injuries
- Firefighter Injuries
- Civilian Fatalities
- Firefighter Fatalities
Current Situation
Situation Summary
- 1-2 Fire: 20 acres
- 2-2 Fire: 3,463 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: 458 acres / Visit the 2-7 Fire information page
- 2-8 Fire: 499 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: 884 acres / Old Don Pedro Rd, West of Jamestown
- 6-3 Fire: 5 acres
- 6-5 Fire: 6,473 acres / Visit the 6-5 Fire information page
This series of fires within CAL FIRE/Tuloumne-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).
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