UPDATE (7:47 a.m. Thursday) - The Branch Fire is now 82% contained.
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UPDATE (7:28 p.m. Wednesday) - Firefighters reach 75% containment of the Branch Fire.
Branch Fire update. Fire is at 3,022 acres and 75% contained. All evacuation orders have been lifted. #BranchIC #CountyofSlo pic.twitter.com/NiHAbwMSal
— CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) July 30, 2020
UPDATE (4:28 p.m.) - Evacuation orders for the Branch Fire will be lifted at 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to CAL FIRE.
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(7:04 a.m.) - The Branch Fire that broke out at about 2 p.m. Tuesday in the California Valley, has burned 3,022 acres and is 50% contained.
Branch Fire Update. The fire has burned 3022 acres and is 50% contained fire crews are continuing to build and strengthen fire control lines. 2 Structures and 10 outbuildings have been destroyed by the fire. Highway 58 is open. #BranchIC #CountyofSlo #CaliforniaValley
— CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) July 29, 2020
Two structures and 10 outbuildings have been destroyed, fire crews are continuing to build and strengthen fire control lines.
Highway 58 was forced to close at Soda Lake Road, but has since reopened.
The brush fire began in the area of Highway 58 in eastern San Luis Obispo County and eventually caused residents on Belmont Trail from Soda Lake Road to Branch Mountain Road to evacuate.
Additional evacuation orders were put in place for Soda Lake Road to Branch Mountain Road and Belmont Trail to Greybriar.
The California Valley Recreation Center became an evacuation center for those residents forced to evacuate .
This is a developing story, we'll continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
