Incident Update TCU September Lightning Complex

Date:: 09/03/2025
Time:: 1:58 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

Incident Management Team 6 (Magaña) has transitioned with the unit and has taken command of the complex. The fires in CAL FIRE TCU continue to impact most of the unit, either directly by fire activity or the smoke that the fires are creating. The complex is 13,371 acres. Firefighters are continuing to construct containment line and strengthen lines that have been established. The 6-5 fire near Chinese Camp (Tuolumne County) remains the largest fire being suppressed, and as can be seen in the image on the CAL FIRE TCU Facebook Page, the Chinese Camp School was not destroyed by yesterday's activity. Evacuation orders and warnings are still in effect near the 6-5 and 2-7 fires.

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