COPPEROPOLIS, Calif. — Find the latest updates on the Aero Fire HERE.
The Aero Fire in Copperopolis is 23% contained as of Tuesday and has burned 5,351 acres.
Cal Fire said there was a small decrease in winds and a small increase in humidity overnight that helped crews fight the fire
“In the area that it’s burning, it was really receptive to fast growth, burning in a lot of grassy area, growing to 5,000 acres very quickly. Overnight, they have been able to slow the spread of the fire and had successes,” said Cal Fire spokesperson Rick Carhart.
On Monday night, Cal Fire spokesperson Emily Kilgore said the fire has been moving quickly to the south down O'Byrnes Ferry Road and to the east toward the Tuolumne County line, generally toward Copperopolis.
370 personnel and 43 engines have responded to the fire and 49,000 gallons of fire retardant has been dropped so far. Cal Fire said the fire is burning grass and oak woodlands in an area that hasn't had a large fire since 2003. 3,690 structures remain threatened by the fire.
"The conditions are not what they were yesterday, and we’ve made significant progress on stopping the spread of the fire. But the conditions are still dynamic out there," said Carhart.
A firefighter was also hurt during the blaze with what officials described as a "minor" injury. Three structures were destroyed, one structure is damaged and 3,690 structures are threatened as of Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire.
Evacuation orders and warnings are in place for some areas in Calaveras County. Evacuation warnings are in effect in some parts of Tuolumne County. See detailed evacuations below.
Stay Informed
Evacuations
View the evacuation map from Calaveras County below.
An Evacuation Order was given for the areas of Copper Town Square and Obyrnes Ferry Road to the county line.
Evacuation shelters are available at the following locations:
- Valley Springs Veterans Hall Evacuation Center: 189 Pine Street, Valley Springs
- Mark Twain Elementary School Shelter: 646 Stanislaus Avenue, Angels Camp
- San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, Building 2: 1658 S Airport Way, Stockton
Animal evacuation shelters are available at the following locations:
- Calaveras County Fairgrounds Livestock Evacuation Center: 101 Frogtown Road, Angels Camp
- Valley Springs Veterans Hall Evacuation Center: 189 Pine Street, Valley Springs
Evacuation Warnings in Tuolumne County were issued for O'Byrnes Ferry Road from the Tuolumne/Calaveras County line to Highway 108 due to the direction of the fire. No evacuation orders have been given.
Fire Perimeter Maps
This is a map from Cal Fire as of June 18 at 6 a.m.
A map from the National Interagency Fire Center is available below.
WILDFIRE PREPS
If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, and supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and knowing your community’s evacuation plans best to prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
Some counties use Nixle alerts to update residents on severe weather, wildfires, and other news. To sign up, visit www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to start receiving alerts.
PG&E customers can also subscribe to alerts via text, email, or phone call. If you're a PG&E customer, visit the Profile & Alerts section of your account to register.
What questions do you have about the latest wildfires? If you're impacted by the wildfires, what would you like to know? Text the ABC10 team at (916) 321-3310.
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