The Field Fire in Yuba County started around 2 a.m. Sunday, burning more than 1,000 acres by evening and resulting in residents of Smartville and Mooney Flat Road being advised or told to evacuate. (Photo by John Hart)

A fire that began around 2 a.m. Sunday near the University of California Field Station, just west of the Yuba County line, had consumed 1,100 acres by evening, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

The fire, which originated near Highway 20 east of Marysville Road, was 30 percent contained by 8 p.m. Sunday, said Pat Burger, a volunteer fire information officer for the CDF.

The so-called Field Fire, which apparently began after trees fell into power lines, was moving southeast and threatened 100 structures near the town of Smartville, Burger said.

Smartville residents were advised to evacuate. People living on Mooney Flat Road faced mandatory evacuations, she said, but most decided to stay anyway.

There was no damage to any inhabited buildings, said CDF volunteer information officer JoAnn Cartoscelli. The fire was driven by 35 mph winds that spread the flames across rugged terrain that included oak woodland.

"The air tankers came out early," Cartoscelli said. "We were fully staffed when this happened."

Just in case, a shelter was set up at the First Baptist Church on Ridge Road across from Nevada Union High School.

Elaine Carlson, a registered nurse and volunteer with the Red Cross of western Nevada County, was one of a handful of volunteers in the NU parking lot waiting to help displaced residents.

A trailer with 100 cots, blankets, aspirin and other medical aid was on its way.

"We're waiting for them," Carlson said, sitting with a half-dozen volunteers under an awning. "We're here if people need us."

John Zwerver, executive director of the local chapter of the Red Cross, seemed ready for anything.

"We could take hundreds if they came," he said. "I hope people will be able to go back to their own homes, but this is what we're here for."

The Field Fire was being fought by 273 firefighters from CDF, the state Office of Emergency Services and the Dobbins Volunteer Fire Department, as well as seven fire engines, four water tenders, six bulldozers and one helicopter.

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