For Immediate Release: Paradise Police and Fire Personnel Respond to Fast-Moving Vegetation Fire

July 16, 2026

On July 16, 2026, at approximately 2:53 p.m. the Paradise Police Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a rapidly growing vegetation fire in the area of Dudley Lane.

Paradise Police officers arrived on scene at approximately 2:55 p.m. and immediately began evacuating nearby residents while assisting with fire suppression efforts near an adjacent residence until fire resources arrived.

The fire continued to spread through a drainage bordering evacuation Zone 11 and evacuation zone 12, the Paradise Police Department issued mandatory evacuation orders for Zones 11 and 12 to protect public safety.

Because two zones were placed under mandatory evacuation, the Town's emergency warning sirens were activated to alert residents of the evacuation order. The sirens remained active until approximately 3:49 p.m., when CAL FIRE reported that forward progress of the fire had been stopped. The evacuation warning sirens were then deactivated.

The fire ultimately burned an estimated 5.85 acres before being contained through the coordinated efforts of CAL FIRE, Paradise Police Department, and assisting agencies.

Following containment of the fire, Paradise Police officers with the assistance of CAL FIRE investigated its origin. Investigators learned that a property on Dudley Lane had undergone vegetation management work earlier in the day as part of a grant-funded wildfire fuel reduction project. Crews were on site maintaining equipment to operate the following day, when the crew saw a fire had started in another area of the work site.

Workers immediately initiated fire suppression efforts using water and hand tools while others called 911. However, due to the dry grass and strong winds, the fire spread rapidly beyond their ability to contain it. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Paradise Police Department would like to thank the residents affected by the evacuation orders for their prompt cooperation, as well as CAL FIRE, and all assisting agencies whose quick response helped prevent further damage and protect lives.

LOCATION:
Dudley Lane, Paradise CA.
SUSPECT(S):
None
INVESTIGATING OFFICER:
Officer G. Diaz
APPROVING SUPERVISOR:
Sgt J. Alvies