Chute Fire Rekindles, Forces Area Evacuations

DOBBINS — The Chute Fire grew to 84 acres by Tuesday afternoon after flaring early Monday in the steep canyon near Dobbins, a week after it started and five days after CAL FIRE last reported nine acres and 20% containment. The renewed growth prompted an evacuation order south of New Bullards Bar Reservoir and warnings across the county line in Nevada County.

As of 1:39 PM Tuesday, CAL FIRE’s incident page listed Yuba County zone YUB-E098 under an evacuation order and Nevada County zones NCO-E327 and NCO-E329 under warnings. An order means residents must leave immediately, while a warning signals a potential threat to life or property and directs people who need extra time, including those with pets and livestock, to leave.

CAL FIRE recorded the fire’s start at 8:20 AM July 13 near Chute Ravine. Initial response included CAL FIRE’s Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit, the agency with jurisdiction, and the local Dobbins-Oregon House Volunteer Fire Department, among other agencies. Access was one of the first obstacles, with the fire burning in steep canyon terrain with few roads, making direct attack difficult and dangerous. CAL FIRE did not report that crews had reached the fire’s edge until 2:17 PM, nearly six hours after the recorded start. At that point, the fire was holding near 10 acres, containment was 0%, and no evacuations were in effect in Yuba or Nevada counties.

The fire remained at 10 acres and 0% containment the next morning. On July 15, CAL FIRE revised the estimate to nine acres and reported 20% containment. No further updates appeared in the agency’s public update archive until July 20.

The fire appeared dormant in that five-day gap, but CAL FIRE never declared it fully contained or extinguished. The first indication of renewed activity came before daylight Monday. In a 2:15 AM update, the Dobbins-Oregon House department said crews were at the scene of a possible flare-up and that no area was threatened at that time. A later early-morning post said wind was carrying smoke into Dobbins and Oregon House, crews remained engaged in suppression, and aircraft could be brought in after daylight.

Circumstances changed during the morning. By 10 AM, a CAL FIRE report listed the fire at 20 acres and 0% containment, placed YUB-E098 under an evacuation order, and listed nearby zones DOB-E011 and YUB-E095 under warnings.

The fire continued growing Monday afternoon. A 4:52 PM CAL FIRE report placed it at 33 acres and 0% containment, retained the YUB-E098 order, and listed the two Nevada County warning zones. The Dobbins-Oregon House department said Monday evening that ground and air operations would continue. On Tuesday morning, it said additional resources had been requested, with some already on scene and others expected shortly.

CAL FIRE increased the acreage estimate to 84 at 1:39 PM Tuesday without changing the listed evacuation order or warnings.