An active wildfire near Penn Valley and Smartsville has prompted evacuation orders for Nevada County residents on Wednesday afternoon. The Mooney Fire, burning near Mooney Flat Road off Highway 20, has consumed 25 acres with one outbuilding destroyed. Cal Fire deployed aerial resources including helicopters and planes dropping fire retardant to combat the blaze, and the fire has stopped its forward progress as of mid-Wednesday afternoon with 25% containment achieved.
If you live in the Lombardi Drive or Kirk Way areas, evacuation orders are in effect immediately. Broader evacuation warnings extend into parts of Nevada and Yuba counties, meaning residents should stay alert to local emergency notifications and be prepared to leave on short notice. Penn Valley Library at 11252 Pleasant Valley Road has been established as a temporary evacuation point for displaced residents who need shelter or resources.
Now is the time to review your household evacuation plan if you live in a fire-prone area. Keep your phone charged, know multiple routes out of your neighborhood, and have a go-bag ready during fire season. Stay connected to local emergency alerts through your county’s notification system. Have you checked your family’s evacuation plan lately, or is there something you’d add after seeing what happened with the Mooney Fire?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
