Massive Elephant Fire doubles in size to become California’s second-largest blaze of the year

A massive wildfire burning in California’s Sierra Nevada has quickly become one of the largest in California this year.

The Elephant Fire in Sierra County has scorched more than 12,300 acres since it was reported on Saturday afternoon north of Loyalton in the Tahoe National Forest, according to CAL FIRE.

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 500 firefighters continued to battle the fast-moving blaze near the Nevada state line, with only 5% of it contained. The fire had doubled in size in less than 24 hours.

“On the ground, crews and bulldozers are working to build firelines where terrain and conditions allow, creating barriers to help stop the fire’s forward progress,” read an update from CAL FIRE.

“From the air, aircraft are making targeted retardant and water drops in areas where they can have the greatest impact.”

The fire’s growth has made it the second largest in the state so far this year, outside of the Santa Rosa Island fire, which burned 18,379 acres in May before it was fully contained.

Luckily, positive weather conditions are aiding firefighters with suppression efforts.

“Fire crews are using this weather window to continue securing the fireline while working towards full containment,” the U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe National Forest update read.

As of Tuesday, evacuation orders and evacuation warnings had been dropped across parts of Lassen and Plumas counties, according to CAL Fire. 

However, officials said people should still be “aware and continue to use caution in and around the surrounding area.”

Officials have not yet determined what sparked the wildfire.

Firefighting efforts were temporarily halted Sunday after the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office received reports of an unauthorized drone flying in restricted airspace while aircraft were actively battling the blaze.

Deputies responded to the area, identified the drone operator, and ensured the device no longer posed a threat before firefighting aircraft could resume operations, FOX40 reported.

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