Crews battle June Lightning Complex fire in Fresno County
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fire crews are working to gain ground on the Fresno June Lightning Complex Fire burning in Eastern Fresno County.
It now encompasses three large fires: the Bolt, Flash and Hog fires, as well as several smaller ones.
The Hog Fire started on Tuesday, but the Bolt Fire near Wonder Valley Ranch and Flash Fire near Cove Road started after multiple lighting strikes on Monday.
Evacuation Orders, Warnings and Shelters
EVACUATION ORDERS
The Fresno County Sheriff's Office has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Zones K73 and K75 South of Elwood Road.
Those zones include Clark Valley, Harmon Peak, and Tretten Canyon.
Highway 180 has reopened, however, drivers should know some roads north of the highway are still closed.
They include Silver Lane, Fulgham Lane, and Elwood Road.
EVACUATION WARNINGS
Zones K93, K72, K134, K73 South, K77 and K75 North of Elwood Road are under evacuation warnings.
For the full Fresno County Sheriff's Office evacuation map, click here.
RELATED: How to prepare for a wildfire evacuation
EVACUATION SHELTERS
The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation shelter at Reedley College (995 N Reed Ave, Reedley, CA 93654) for those impacted by fires. Small animals are welcome at this shelter.
Volunteers will be providing evacuees with water, snacks, and additional resources.
The Fresno Fairgrounds (1120 S Chance Ave, Fresno, CA 93702) has opened as an evacuation center for large animals only.
Some residents evacuated from Fresno June Lightning Complex Fire can return home
CAL FIRE on Friday started allowing people who live in two evacuated areas to return homes.
Crews are also reopening Highway 180 but there are still a few roads blocked off to drivers.
Roads closed north of Highway 180 include Silver Lane, Fulgham Lane, and Elwood Road.
Officials say they're hopeful the flames will be fully knocked down by July 6.
June Lightning Complex Fire: Containment grows to 37%
Crews are continuing to make progress on the Fresno June Lightning Complex Fire.
As of Friday morning, containment has grown to 37%, with the acreage remaining at 10,669.
Crews are hoping to have the flames fully contained by July 6.
Over 900 structures remain threatened.
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors will meet Friday afternoon to approve a local emergency so the county could possibly get help from the state or federal level.
More than 1,500 firefighters are assisting with putting out the flames.
The impact on air quality from multiple wildfires burning in Fresno County
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has issued an Air Quality Alert as smoke from Fresno County wildfires moves into Madera, Fresno, Tulare and Kern.
"Now, we're talking about multiple opportunities to breathe in pollutants that can affect our lungs," says UCSF Fresno's Dr. Hovig Artinian. "You've got heat combining with pollution, creating ozone. You've got the wildfire creating particle pollution that is smaller than the strands of your hair that can lodge deep into your lungs."
Children, older adults and anyone with asthma or other lung diseases are at high risk of inflaming their airways or worsening a respiratory disorder.
For those not at high risk, Dr. Artinian says the air quality can still be harmful.
FULL STORY: June Lightning Complex Fire: Impact on air quality from wildfires
