Kearney Fire Surges Near Smartsville

UPDATE, WEDNESDAY 7:20 AM: CAL FIRE reports the Kearney Fire remains at 41 acres and is now 50% contained, up from 5% Tuesday evening. Forward progress has been stopped, and threats to structures, power lines, and Highway 20 have been mitigated. All evacuation orders, warnings, and road closures have been lifted, and residents may return home. The Penn Valley Library evacuation point has closed, and the Nevada County Fairgrounds is no longer accepting evacuated animals. Residents returning to the area should use caution because emergency personnel are still working nearby.

UPDATE, 5:50 PM: The Kearney Fire has been mapped at 41.3 acres, replacing an earlier 60-acre estimate with a more precise perimeter calculation. YubaNet reported that the rate of spread has greatly moderated, no spots were found outside the line, and most aircraft have been released; Tanker 89 remains overhead as a precaution. Evacuation orders remain in effect for NCO-E010 and NCO-E011, while NCO-E012, NCO-E014, and NCO-E017 remain under warnings. Melody Road at Highway 20 and Sloping Oaks at Highway 20 are closed to incoming traffic. The Penn Valley Library remains the temporary evacuation point for residents, and the Nevada County Fairgrounds at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley is accepting large and small animals.

UPDATE, 5:20 PM: Nevada County has established a temporary evacuation point at the Penn Valley Library, 11252 Pleasant Valley Road in Penn Valley, for residents displaced by the Kearney Fire. A large-animal evacuation point is being established at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Residents can call 2-1-1 or 1-833-DIAL211 for the latest evacuation and shelter information.

BIG OAK VALLEY — The Kearney Fire grew from about 0.5 acres to an estimated 25–30 acres in roughly 40 minutes Tuesday afternoon and was later estimated at 60 acres, prompting evacuation orders and warnings in southwestern Nevada County. The fire was burning near Kearney Court, east of Smartsville. At 4:43 PM, aircraft reported a rapid rate of spread and short-range spotting.

Current evacuation status #

An evacuation order is in effect for zones NCO-E010 and NCO-E011, according to Genasys Protect, Nevada County’s official evacuation map and alert platform. The order was posted at 4:37 PM. An order indicates an immediate threat to life, requires residents to leave now, and closes the affected area to public access.

Evacuation warnings are in effect for zones NCO-E012, NCO-E014, and NCO-E017. The warnings were posted at 4:41 PM. A warning indicates a potential threat to life or property, and Nevada County advises people who need additional time, as well as residents with pets or livestock, to leave now.

Conditions can change quickly, and residents should enter their address in Genasys Protect for up-to-date information.

How the fire has spread #

Air Attack reported the fire at approximately 0.5 acres in grass at 4:02 PM, with a slow-to-moderate rate of spread. By 4:05 PM, aircraft reported short-range spotting and requested additional air resources. Five minutes later, the estimated size had reached five acres, with multiple structures threatened.

Law enforcement began arriving at the fire at 4:16 PM, and an augmented dispatch sent additional engines one minute later. At 4:29 PM, residents who needed extra time were told to prepare to leave as authorities readied evacuations. The first order and warnings followed, and Air Attack increased the estimate to 25–30 acres at 4:43 PM while reporting rapid spread and continued spotting. A later update placed the fire at an estimated 60 acres.

What residents should do #

Residents in the two ordered zones should leave immediately, follow directions from law enforcement, and avoid delaying to gather nonessential belongings. People in warning zones should prepare their vehicles, medications, important documents, food, water, and pet supplies, then leave early if they need more time. Ready Nevada County advises residents not to wait for an order if they feel unsafe because late departures can cause traffic congestion and endanger evacuees and first responders. Anyone facing an immediate emergency should call 911.

Nevada County residents can register for the new Nevada County Alerts system to receive calls, texts, and emails for selected addresses. The county says residents who previously relied on CodeRED should verify their information in the replacement system.