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UPDATE AUGUST 28, 1:27 P.M.:

#JonesIncident [Final] Jones Bar Road and Newtown Road in Nevada County is 705 acres and 100% contained.

UPDATE AUGUST 28, 10 A.M.:

The Ready Nevada County Dashboard is reporting the Jones Fire as 92% contained.

UPDATE AUGUST 27, 7:41 A.M.:

According to the Ready Nevada County Dashboard, the Jones Fire is 85% contained. The remains at 705 acres burned. Nine personnel are deployed and 21 structures have been destroyed.

UPDATE 9:30 A.M. AUGUST 25

The Jones Fire, burning at Jones Bar Road and Newtown Road in Nevada County is at 705 acres; 70% contained.

UPDATE 7:34 A.M. AUGUST 24:

The Jones Fire is reported to be 705 acres, 65% contained, 149 personnel deployed, 21 structures destoryed. 

UPDATE 10:35 a.m. Aug. 23

From Cal Fire: #JonesIncident [Update] Jones bar Road and Newtown Road in Nevada County. 705 acres 55% contained.

UPDATE 8 a.m. Aug. 23

From Cal Fire:

UPDATES: 12:30 P.M. AUGUST 22:

Great news! Highway 49 will be open to through traffic beginning at 9am. The #JonesIncident is now 35% contained and remains at 705 acres. There are 145 fire personnel still assigned.

— Nevada County OES (@NevCoOES) August 22, 2020

UPDATE 2:04 P.M. AUGUST 21:

#JonesIncident Jones Bar Road and Newtown Road in Nevada County. Situational update for Friday, August 21, 2020 1:45 PM. Nevada County Consolidated Fire District Chief Jim Turner. pic.twitter.com/GnRe4WNq6d

— CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) August 21, 2020

UPDATE 1:44 P.M. AUGUST 21:

At 2 p.m., the final temporary evacuation point at Ready Springs School will be closing due to lack of utilization and additional re-population, according to a tweet from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. If you need sheltering assistance, contact the @RedCross at 844-236-0153.

According to a tweet from the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services, additional evacuations have been lifted for the #JonesIncident on the west side of the fire line. Visit readynevadacounty.org/mobiledashboard to check your address. Be prepared with proof of residency to access the area.

UPDATE 7:30 A.M. AUGUST 21:

According to Cal Fire Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit, the Jones Fire is 705 acres and 25% contained. 21 structures have been destroyed and one structure has been damaged. Six are residential structures, one is a commercial structure and 15 are out buildings. Four firefighters have been injured. 131 fire personnel and 30 law enforcement personnel are working the fire.

#JonesIncident Jones Bar Road and Newtown Road in Nevada County. Friday Aug 21, 2020 am update. pic.twitter.com/6xBrtN0hq9

— CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) August 21, 2020

UPDATE 7:09 A.M. AUGUST 21:

Jones Fire is now 705 acres and 25% containment, and full containment is expected August 25, according to the Office of Emergency Services. “131 fire personnel remain assigned. Expect to see a large presence of fire equipment still in the area. Road closures still in effect,” the OES said in a tweet. Go to Nevada County Dashboard  for more

UPDATE 4:46 P.M.

Jones Fire [update] Investigators have determined the official cause of the Jones Fire to be lightning. Jones Bar Road and Newtown Road in Nevada County. good progress being made by firefighters to improve line and extinguish hot spots. pic.twitter.com/cqGhy9MfRA

— CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) August 20, 2020

UPDATE 4:04 P.M.

From Cal Fire: Jones Fire [update] Investigators have determined the official cause of the Jones Fire to be lightning. Jones Bar Road and Newtown Road in Nevada County. good progress being made by firefighters to improve line and extinguish hot spots.

UPDATE 3:07 P.M.:

UPDATE 1:45 P.M.:

UPDATE 1:27 P.M.:

According to the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services: With the most recent re-population of the #JonesIncident, there are now 15,541 residents that have been cleared to return home. There are 700 residents that remain under a mandatory evacuation area.

Also, the official cause of the Jones Fire is a lightning strike, according to Cal Fire.

UPDATE 12:16 P.M.:

The first two days of the Jones Fire the Grass Valley Air Attack Base delivered 96,000 gallons of fire retardant. Second only to the Robbers Fire in the history of the Grass Valley Air Attack Base. More gallons than all of last year. pic.twitter.com/Lgso6ItMWy

— CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) August 20, 2020

UPDATE 11:44 A.M. August 20:

UPDATE 7:14 A.M. AUGUST 20:

Jones Fire is reported to be 705 acres and 10% contained

#JonesIncident Jones Bar Road and Newtown Road in Nevada County. 705 acres and 10% contained. pic.twitter.com/ueSFz4juEH

— CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) August 20, 2020

#JonesIncident Jones Bar Road and Newtown Road in Nevada County. Crews continue working into the night to strengthen dozer and hand lines on the fire. pic.twitter.com/jSS7PvnCqQ

— CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) August 20, 2020

UPDATE 8:40PM – #JonesIncident
Areas to the south of the fire that were previously under evacuation orders are now DOWNGRADED to an evacuation warning.
To check your address, please visit the Ready Nevada County dashboard at https://t.co/e1fGpA765Z
For information, dial 2-1-1.

— Nevada County OES (@NevCoOES) August 20, 2020

UPDATE at 8:07 P.M.:

The covered South Yuba River overlook of the Independence Trail is just one of the many structures that have succumbed to the Jones Fire.

UPDATE 3:49 P.M.:

According to the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District, air quality is expected to get worse overnight, with it starting in the unhealthy range Thursday morning.

UPDATE 2:20 P.M.:

With the need for more space, the #JonesIncident command post has moved to the @NevCoFair where significantly more space is available. This move is specific to a need for space – it is not related any threat of the Rood Center or Correctional Facility. pic.twitter.com/84NWo0zFJl

— Nevada County OES (@NevCoOES) August 19, 2020

UPDATE 1:49 P.M.:

Waste Management’s San Juan Transfer Station will be closed tomorrow and will not be accepting recycling buy back materials due to the Jones Fire.

UPDATE 1:26 P.M.:

UPDATE 12:19 P.M.:

From a press release from PG&E:

As California enters the sixth day of a record heatwave, current energy supply forecasts indicate that rotating power outages are still possible Wednesday. Pacific Gas and Electric Company urges customers to conserve electricity in response to the California Independent System Operator’s (ISO) statewide Flex Alert called for Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. CAISO is the organization that manages the state’s power grid.
CAISO has requested that customers of all sizes start conserving energy earlier today—from 2 p.m to 9 p.m.

UPDATE 9:28 A.M.:

UPDATE 9 A.M. AUGUST 19:

#JonesIncident Jones Bar Rd, Yuba River Drainage, 5 miles northwest of Nevada City, Nevada Co. New mapping of the fire reduced the % of containment.
• 675 acres brush and timber, 5% contained
• Continued threat to structures
• Residential structures and outbuildings destroyed pic.twitter.com/YCOj8bdchQ

— CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) August 19, 2020

UPDATE 8:52 A.M. AUGUST 19:

Nevada County Office of Emergency Services: “Due to better mapping on the #JonesIncident, the fire has been updated to: 650 acres 5% containment All evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect.”

Due to better mapping on the #JonesIncident, the fire has been updated to:
650 acres
5% containment
All evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect.

— Nevada County OES (@NevCoOES) August 19, 2020

VIDEO POST OF MONDAY EVENING/TUESDAY MORNING ON JONES FIRE:

UPDATE 8:35 a.m. Aug. 19:

SR-49 in @NevadaCountyCA will remain CLOSED through today and possibly through the weekend for fire suppression activities. Please follow @NevCoOES for fire and evacuation updates. @CALFIRENEU https://twitter.com/CaltransDist3/status/1295772703849213952

UPDATE 7:21 A.M. August 19:

The Jones Fire is reported to be at 675 acres and 20% containment, according to the Office of Emergency Services.

#JonesIncident – Morning Update:
675 acres and 20% containment.
Firefighters in morning briefing now to discuss today’s plan of attack.

— Nevada County OES (@NevCoOES) August 19, 2020

UPDATE 9:03 p.m.

From county OES: The evacuation warning for the areas south of Ridge Rd and Rough and Ready Highway has been LIFTED.
Please visit the Ready Nevada County dashboard at http://www.readynevadacounty.org/dashboard  or for additional assistance, dial 2-1-1.

UPDATE: 7:28 p.m.

From county OES:

UPDATE: 5:46 p.m.

Join CAL FIRE Chief Brian Estes, Nevada County Consolidated Fire Chief Jim Turner, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon and Nevada County CEO Alison Lehman and staff for a briefing on the Jones Fire.

The meeting is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Learn more about the town hall here: https://yubanet.com/regional/jones-fire-town-hall-on-aug-19-at-900-am

UPDATE: 4:15 p.m.

UPDATE: 8/18/20 AT 4:05PM: New EVACUATION WARNINGS for areas north of Excelsior Ditch Camp Rd and Wet Hill Rd to the South Yuba River Canyon, west of Rock Creek Rd.

UPDATE: 3:20 p.m

UPDATE: 3 p.m.

From county OES:

UPDATE: 2:33 p.m.

From NID:

Nevada Irrigation District crews took quick action yesterday to ensure fire retardant from nearby firefighting efforts did not affect water entering its Lake Wildwood Treatment Plant.

Yesterday afternoon, NID became aware that fire retardant dropped on the nearby Jones fire was also released into one of its canals that delivers water to its Lake Wildwood Treatment Plant. Fortunately, NID crews were able to close the intake from the canal hours ahead of the impacted water reaching the plant. NID then accessed its back up supply of water stored at the plant allowing it to continue to treat and deliver high quality drinking water to its customers in the area. The impacted canal water was allowed to bypass the plant and no longer poses a threat.

UPDATE: 1:50 p.m.

From county OES: With the constant high temperatures, there are still two cooling centers open: • Ready Springs Elementary School Gymnasium, 10862 Spenceville Road, Penn Valley, CA 95946 • Bear River High School Library, 11130 Magnolia Rd, Grass Valley, CA 95949

UPDATE: 11:45 a.m.

UPDATE: 11:29 a.m.

UPDATE 10:34 a.m.

From Caltrans:

UPDATE 10:32 a.m.

From Cal OES: 550 acres burned; 5% contained; four structures destroyed; 350 personnel deployed.

UPDATE 8:17 a.m.

UPDATE 6:13 a.m.

“Dignity Health Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital can confirm we received an evacuation advisory this afternoon from the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) due to the Jones Fire. The care and safety of our patients and employees is our top priority and we are working closely with the County OES and other public safety agencies to ensure we are ready to evacuate in a safe and organized manner. The hospital has evacuation plans in place for such an event. We are fully prepared and equipped to comply with orders without compromising the care and safety of patients and employees. We will share more information as it becomes available.”

#JonesFire in Nevada City tonight. Ffs on the scene saying 500 acres burned. Currently prepping the area for firing operation where they will ignite brush along Hwy 49 facing the fire in efforts to burn any fuel that could ignite tomorrow. #theunionnow #fireseason2020 @TheUnion pic.twitter.com/SNhFRAyVzp

— Elias Funez (@Elias_Funez) August 18, 2020

UPDATE at 9:50 p.m.:

From a release:

The Jones Fire prompted the mandatory evacuations of 3,891 residents today with another 212 residents under an Evacuation Warning (potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately) to the north and another 11,434 under an evacuation warning to the south. It is believed that the Jones Fire was a lightning start that occurred early Monday morning as overnight storms came through the South Yuba River canyon in Nevada City. CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit is reporting 340 acres and 0% containment Monday evening.

Residents who have been evacuated under a mandatory Evacuation Order (immediate threat to life and a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access) should make plans to stay overnight outside the Evacuation Order area. There are three Temporary Evacuation Points available Penn Valley, Grass Valley and Truckee in Nevada County.

Temporary Evacuation Points:
Ready Springs School: 10862 Spenceville Rd, Penn Valley, CA 95946
Cottage Hill Elementary School: 22600 Kingston Lane, Grass Valley, CA 95949
Alder Creek Middle School: 10931 Alder Dr, Truckee, CA 96161
Evacuation Language and Definitions:
Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life and a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access
Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
Shelter in Place: Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction.
Ready Nevada County:
Wildfire safety starts with you. Here are tips to stay ready:
Stay situationally aware.
Find your five. Your five allies are people that will check on you and that you can communicate with in an emergency, so they know you are safe or if you need help.
Have your Go Bag ready. Find a Go Bag checklist on page 20 of our Ready, Set, Go! Guide.
Use the Ready Nevada County Dashboard to find evacuation maps, Twitter feeds and recent CodeRED Emergency Alerts: http://www.ReadyNevadaCounty.org/Dashboard.
Know the sound of Hi-Lo Sirens to alert you of an Evacuation Order

UPDATE at 8:41 p.m.:

According to Cal Fire, the Jones Fire has burned 150 acres. It is zero percent contained. OES states a correction: The South County temporary evacuation point is at Cottage Hill School, 22600 Kingston Lane.

UPDATE at 8:38 p.m.:

UPDATE: 7:50 p.m. — CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit Chief Brian Estes briefs the media on the Jones Incident in Nevada County. pic.twitter.com/Y6t9oKnIw6

— CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) August 18, 2020

UPDATE at 7:30 p.m. – According to Nevada Joint Union High School District Assistant Superintendent Dan Frisella, due to the uncertainty of the Jones Fire, all scheduled school activities are canceled for Tuesday, Aug. 18.

UPDATE at 7:22 p.m.

From OES: Magnolia School at 22431 Kingston Ln is now open as a temporary evacuation point that will triage residents and work to find overnight sheltering with assistance from the American Red Cross. #JonesFire@ARCGoldCountry

UPDATE: 7:11 p.m. — Due to the uncertainties with the Jones Fire and for the safety of our staff the Grass Valley School District and all GVSD school sites / programs will be closed Tuesday, Aug. 18.

UPDATE: 6:24 p.m.

The Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District and the Nevada County Public Health Department are issuing a joint Air Quality Health Advisory to notify the public of the possibility of poor air quality conditions through at least August 20, 2020 resulting from numerous wildfires, including the Jones Fire. Air quality is expected to vary greatly throughout the advisory period depending on fire behavior and weather conditions, with smoke settling in low areas at night.

Exposure to elevated PM2.5 (fine particulate matter in smoke) concentrations can result in eye and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, congestion, coughing, impaired lung function and chest pain, especially among sensitive individuals such as the elderly, children, people with asthma, people with heart or lung conditions, pregnant women and anyone who is exercising or working hard outdoors. People who are affected by, or susceptible to, COVID-19 may be at increased risk from wildfire smoke due to cardiovascular symptoms or a compromised or suppressed immune system.

UPDATE at 5:52 P.M.

Nevada County residence, the drift smoke you are seeing and smelling is coming from the Jones Fire Jones Bar Road and Newtown Road off Highway Grass Valley Air Attack Base crews have loaded over 76,000 gallons of retardant today while fighting the Jones fire north of Grass Valley pic.twitter.com/BW3z1d8BEq

— CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) August 17, 2020

UPDATE at 5:29 P.M.

From OES: Road Closure at Rough and Ready Highway and Bitney Springs Rd for the #jonesfire

UPDATE at 4:55 P.M.

UPDATE 4:22 P.M.

From Nevada County OES:

NEW EVACUATIONS ORDERS for the North Side of Newtown Rd to include: • Lois Lane • Monte Vista • Jones Bar • Empress Cross • Personeni • Elizabeth

UPDATE 4:02 P.M.

From Nevada County OES:

@PGE4Me has informed us that approximately 13,000 Nevada County customers will be impacted by the rolling blackouts today. These blackouts are expected to last for approximately 1-hour and can happen anytime between 3:00pm and 10:00pm.

UPDATE 3:07 P.M.:

Highway 49 closed from Newtown to Reader Ranch roads due to the #JonesFire, according to the Office of Emergency Services. Please avoid the area.

UPDATE 3 P.M.:

Jones Fire is reportedly 55 acres with 0% containment.

UPDATE 2:19 P.M.:

#JonesFire: There has been a significant increase in fire activity. The fire has burned through the fire retardant lines that had been built around the fire.
Firefighters are having a hard time due to a drawdown of resources from many fires in the state. Access to the fire is difficult with no road access to the bottom or the sides of the fire. Firefighters are concerned about a lot of homes up at the top of the fire and concerned about the fire coming to the east and up into the canyon towards Nevada City.

UPDATE 2 P.M.:

Fire activity has increased with the wind. NEW EVACUATIONS ORDERS:
• Carli
• Crooked Arrow
• John Barleycorn
• Shoshoni Trail
• Cavanaugh
• Lowden Lane
• Apache Trail
• Prince Rainer

— Nevada County OES (@NevCoOES) August 17, 2020

UPDATE 8:22 A.M.:

#JonesIncident Jones Bar Road in Nevada County. Fire burning from the river up toward Jones Bar Road. Evacuations in place. Jones Bar and New Town Road closed. Currently at 40 acres. Potential for 400 to 500 acres. pic.twitter.com/zBmHYeQuYy

— CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) August 17, 2020

Jones Fire now reported at 40 acres.

#JonesIncident Jones Bar Road in Nevada County. Fire burning from the river up toward Jones Bar Road. Evacuations in place. Jones Bar and New Town Road closed. Currently at 40 acres. Potential for 400 to 500 acres. pic.twitter.com/NaOvVgmf5X

— CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) August 17, 2020

UPDATE 7:55 A.M.:

Evacuations for Jones Fire in Nevada County:
Jones Bar Rd
Nishinam Gulch Rd
Yuba Crest Dr
McKitrick Ranch Rd
Pau Hana Wy
Little Bear Lane
Hoot Owl Rd
Arctic Owl Rd
Willo Wisp Court
Woolman Lane
Fenton Wy
Toller Ridge Court
Rush Creek Wy

UPDATE 7:28 A.M.:

The Jones Fire, South Yuba Canyon near the end of Jones Bar Road, is 30 acres, according to Cal Fire reports. A Temporary Evacuation Point has been established at the Ready Springs Elementary School (10862 Spenceville Rd, Penn Valley). Animal evacuations are at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

New Incident: #JonesFire off Jones Bar Rd, Yuba River Drainage, northwest of Nevada City in Nevada county is 30 acres. @CALFIRENEU pic.twitter.com/EEHtG2Lo7d

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) August 17, 2020

ORIGINALLY POSTED:

A Temporary Evacuation Point has been established at the Ready Springs Elementary School. All evacuated residents in need of support should head to Ready Springs Elementary School 10862 Spenceville Rd, Penn Valley, CA 95946. 

The following CodeRED emergency alert messages have been sent. To find future CodeRED messages, please visit the Ready Nevada County Dashboard (https://nevcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=dfae8e3b36e3455bbf9dcc865349e72e).

8/17/2020, 5:13:27 AM:

There is a fire in the South Yuba Canyon near the end of Jones Bar Road.. Jones Bar north of Woolman and the connecting roads are ordered for immediate evacuation by the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. The area to the south is under an evacuation warning.

8/17/2020, 5:05:14 AM:

There is a fire in the South Yuba Canyon. Jones Bar Road and the connecting roads are ordered for immediate evacuation by the Nevada County Sheriff's Office.