LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Clayton fire began making a run on Sunday afternoon, jumping roads and containment lines, necessitating more evacuations and leading to a local emergency declaration.

Just before 2:30 p.m. the Lake County Sheriff's Office reported that, due to the extensive fire activity in the Lower Lake area, Sheriff Brian Martin – who also serves as the county's emergency services director of Lake County – declared a local public emergency due to the disastrous conditions.

Highway 53 was closed to all incoming traffic shortly before 3 p.m. The only traffic allowed on Highway 53 is for those who are evacuating.

Shortly afterward, authorities ordered evacuations in the city of Clearlake in the area commonly known as the Chapman Tract in the Avenues area, from east of Highway 53/Dam Road to Davis Avenue. Residents were ordered to leave the area immediately due to the fire's approach.

At 3:30 p.m., the Clearlake Police Department ordered all residents along Dam Road all the way through the Avenues to evacuate immediately.

Earlier in the afternoon, the sheriff's office had issued another mandatory evacuation order for the Copsey Creek subdivision, Bonham Road and Quarterhorse Road.

Radio reports indicated that the fire, estimated to be about 1,400 acres and burning since Saturday evening, had jumped Morgan Valley Road and containment lines, with firefighters working to protect structures in that area as the fire continued to outflank them.

Additional air resources were ordered to respond to the area to help protect the community of Clearlake.

Fire engines also were being directed into downtown Lower Lake to protect resources there.

At around 3 p.m. ambulances from around the county were being requested to respond to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake to assist with moving more than a dozen patients as the hospital prepared to evacuate, according to radio reports.

The sheriff's office said evacuation centers are open at the Highlands Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave. in Clearlake, and at Twin Pine Casino & Hotel, 22223 Highway 29 in Middletown.

The situation is developing very rapidly. Updates will be posted as they become available.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.