Cal Fire reported Thursday evening that crews have stopped the forward progress of the Kearney Fire, which burned roughly 41 acres near Penn Valley in Nevada County. The fire, burning south of Highway 20 near Big Oak Valley and east of Smartsville, prompted mandatory evacuations earlier in the afternoon.
Current conditions and response
Aircraft and ground crews have been working the blaze. News Block's partner aerial coverage observed smoldering vehicles and at least one structure appearing to be destroyed near Blue Horizon Court and Melody Road. Firefighters made aerial water drops and grounded crews moved in to assess damage and secure hotspots.
“Forward progress has been stopped on this fire,”
Cal Fire public information officers relayed that assessment to reporters on scene as crews checked affected properties.
Evacuations and what residents need to know
Officials said the mandatory evacuation zone extended south of Highway 20 between the Yuba County line and Melody Road. As containment improved, some areas previously under mandatory evacuation were downgraded to evacuation warnings.
- Location: South of Highway 20 near Big Oak Valley, east of Smartsville (near Penn Valley).
- Estimated acres burned: 41 acres.
- Current spread: Forward progress stopped; smoldering and hotspots remain.
- Evacuations: Mandatory zones reduced to warnings in surrounding areas.
Damage and assessments underway
Live aerial footage showed several vehicles burned on private property; crews on the ground are confirming whether any structures sustained damage. At least one building at Blue Horizon Court and Melody Road appeared destroyed from the air, though Cal Fire had not confirmed structural damage at the time of the report.
Residents in the downgraded zones should remain ready to evacuate again if conditions change. Officials typically advise keeping emergency kits, important documents and pets ready, and to monitor official Cal Fire channels and local law enforcement for re-entry instructions.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Acres burned | 41 acres |
| Containment status | Forward progress stopped; crews working on assessment |
| Evacuations | Mandatory zones partially downgraded to warnings |
Local authorities will continue damage inspections and public information updates as the situation stabilizes. Residents with property in the affected area should avoid the incident area to allow emergency personnel to operate, and check with Nevada County Sheriff's Office and Cal Fire for the latest maps and re-entry procedures.
News Block will update this story as officials release new information.
