Woman arrested after fire burns grass and a structure in Grass Valley, prompting evacuations

Evacuations were ordered along a main highway cutting through Grass Valley after a fire broke out near businesses, and a woman was arrested on suspicion of causing the blaze, according to Cal Fire and law enforcement.

A grass fire ignited between Lumberjacks Restaurant and a Sierra Motor Sports shop near Highway 20 and Nevada City Highway, Cal Fire said on social media about 3:45 p.m. Bushes were burning between the two businesses, Cal Fire said.

Grass Valley police in an update shortly after 4:30 p.m. said forward progress had stopped on the vegetation portion of the fire but that one business structure was “still actively involved” in flames.

The Grass Valley Police Department said online the details surrounding how the fire was started are still being investigated.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Grass Valley Police Department ordered zones GRS-E-242, GRS-E-246, GRS-E-271 and NCO-E251 to evacuate, which include areas near Gates Place and Brunswick Basin. Evacuation orders were lifted shortly before 5 p.m.

More information about the zone’s location can be found on the county’s evacuation map.

The Grass Valley School District said online that some buses were rerouted back to Lyman Gilmore Middle School, where students could be picked up.

This story was originally published August 16, 2024 at 4:43 PM.