Moc Fire 50 percent contained, evacuations lifted; favorable weather slowing SCU Complex
Crews have made big advances on the Moc Fire burning in Tuolumne County. An update from CalFire said containment is at 50%.
The fire has consumed about 2,800 acres and still threatens about 1,500 residences. It also remains a threat to critical power and water distribution infrastructure for San Francisco, Pacific Gas & Electric and the Moccasin Fish Hatchery.
All evacuation orders were lifted Tuesday morning, and the evacuation center has been closed. All road closures are to be lifted at 6 p.m. Wednesday, including Highway 49 and Priest Coulterville Road.
The SCU Lightning Complex has become the largest active fire in the state, at 365,772 acres. It surpassed the LNU Lightning Complex burning in Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Yolo and Solano counties, which is at 356,326 acres and 27% contained.
The SCU complex is burning in parts of Stanislaus, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Merced counties. As of Wednesday morning, CalFire reported it is 25% contained.
Depending on the fire zone, evacuation orders have been reduced to warnings, or warnings have been lifted.
A fire update Wednesday morning said activity has lessened because of favorable weather conditions and increased humidity across the burn area. Overnight, crews held existing control lines around the perimeter and added new containment lines.
When weather and other conditions are favorable, a control burn is planned to widen the buffer area and consume fuel between the edge of the fire and the control line, CalFire said.
Thirty-seven structures have been destroyed, and six damaged. Three fire personnel and two civilians have been confirmed injured.
This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 7:38 AM.
