A wind-driven wildfire exploded to about 900 acres in Inyo County on Sunday night, triggering evacuations and threatening a historic railroad station built in the 1880s, authorities said.

One of the areas threatened is home to the Laws Railroad Museum, a historical landmark that features narrow-gauge railroad memorabilia, along with buildings and artifacts from when rail service began in 1883.

Until 1915, this railroad offered the only reliable mode of transportation in and out of Owens Valley, according to the Office of Historic Preservation.

After the railroad stopped operating in 1960, many of the buildings and artifacts were set to be destroyed. They were later preserved by the Bishop Museum and Historical Society.

Significant winds are hampering firefighting efforts, the fire is burning in the Pleasant Valley Reservoir Area heading toward Law’s Museum.

Last Updated: February 19, 2018 6:09 pm
Date/Time Started: February 18, 2018 2:12 pm
Administrative Unit: Unified Command: CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit and Inyo County Sheriff's Office
County: Inyo County
Location: Pleasant Valley Dam Road and Hwy 395, north of Bishop
Acres Burned - Containment: 2,250 acres - 25% contained
Evacuations: There are a few residences near 5 Bridges / Fish Slough area that are still under evacuation orders due to power issues.

02/19/2018 - News Release - Repopulation into most evacuated areas began at 3:00pm today.

Evacuation Centers: Bishop Tri-County Fairgrounds is open as an evacuation center to families and animals who are being displaced:
Address: 1234 Fair Street, Bishop CA 93514 Phone: (760) 873-3588
Road Closures: Brockman Lane (north of HWY 395), 5 Bridges Road, Pleasant Valley Reservoir Road, Jean Blanc Road, and Dixon Lane (west of housing area towards Brockman).
Pleasant Valley Campground is closed. Escorts by Inyo Sheriff for emergency necessity only. Pit Campground is closed; however, escorts are available to retrieve belongings through BLM.
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, Inyo County Sheriff's Office, BLM, Inyo USFS, CAL OES, CHP, CDCR, CAL TRANS, Mono County Sheriff, Paradise Fire Dept., DWP, Mammoth Fire, Bishop Fire, Big Pine Fire, Independence Fire, Lone Pine Fire, Long Valley Fire, Wheeler Crest Fire, Red Cross and Southern California Edison.
Total Fire Personnel: 400
Total Fire Engines: 50
Total Fire Crews: 20
Total Helicopters: 1
Total Dozers: 4
Long/Lat: -118.50235/37.40208
Conditions: Fire activity today was minimal with creeping and smoldering activity. Progress continued toward increasing containment.

*Fire acreage has updated due to more accurate mapping*

Acres Burned - Containment: 2,250 acres - 50% contained
Evacuations: The evacuation center has been closed down and is no longer necessary

Road Closures: Brockman Lane (north of HWY 395), 5 Bridges Road, Pleasant Valley Reservoir Road, Jean Blanc Road, and Dixon Lane (west of housing area towards Brockman).
Pleasant Valley Campground is closed. Escorts by Inyo Sheriff for emergency necessity only. Pit Campground is closed; however, escorts are available to retrieve belongings through BLM.

Total Fire Personnel: 400
Total Fire Engines: 50
Total Fire Crews: 20
Total Helicopters: 0
Total Dozers: 2
Long/Lat: -118.50235/37.40208
Conditions: No active fire activity, heavy mop-up for smoldering activity. Progress continued toward increasing containment.