POLLOCK PINES, Calif. — Caldor Fire evacuees might be waiting for quite some time before being allowed to go back home, according to Cal Fire.
In a Thursday evening update, Cal Fire Incident Commander Dusty Martin said evacuees, at this time, should expect at least a week or upwards of two weeks before areas under evacuation reopen.
As of their Thursday evening update, Cal Fire said the blaze has not made it to Sly Park Road, but preparations are underway in case it makes a run toward the area. Firefighters said the fire has not crossed Highway 50 at this time but noted that it was a couple hundred yards away. The fire has been moving at a slow rate of spread to the east. Fixed-wing aircraft had to turn back three times due to visibility issues from smoke, Cal Fire said.
As firefighters work to keep the Caldor Fire from jumping from the south side of Highway 50 over to the north, other crews are going road by road in the Kyburz area to try and prep the properties for potential flames, clearing away brush, logs, leaves and any other fuel that could be too close to a standing structure.
Many roads and properties along Highway 50 now have ribbons tied to poles signaling that fire crews passed through the area.
Out toward Pollock Pines, Jennifer Whitmore was spraying down her roadhouse property.
“Just trying to keep my building from getting these embers,” she said as ash fell around her.
Whitmore said her roadhouse has been closed the past few years, but she has hopes of reopening and doesn’t want to see it destroyed.
“It really is part of El Dorado history,” she said. “It just cannot be a loss. We can’t let it happen.”
In Leoni Meadows camp, just outside Grizzly Flats, Craig Heinrich, executive director at the camp, is in awe to find the beloved area is mostly still standing after the Caldor Fire tore through it.
“I really thought we would have nothing left when I got back,” he said. “The big stuff- the stuff we couldn’t replace is still here. And we’re excited about that. It’s just amazing."
16 cabins and the main office survived, but it lost the nature center and some cabins and residences.
The Caldor Fire started on Saturday, Aug. 14, two miles east of Omo Ranch and four miles south of the community of Grizzly Flats in El Dorado County. On its first day, it only grew 45 acres, but since then, it has burned thousands of acres of land. In Thursday's morning report, the fire has burned 68,630 acres, according to Cal Fire. There is no current containment. 104 structures have been destroyed.
While the fire hasn't crossed into Amador County, the evacuation warnings remain in effect.
The Amador County Sheriff's Office said that they are working with Cal Fire to provide as many updates to Amador County residents as possible. Amador County locations are continuing to provide shelter for evacuated and displaced people due to the Caldor Fire.
Foresthill Fire Protection District also said that the fire is not currently a threat to people in the Foresthill Divide, but those conditions could change. They are asking people to be vigilant and ready for if they need to evacuate, but there are no evacuation warnings at this time.
Evacuations and Road Closures
Click HERE for in-depth evacuation orders and warnings in El Dorado County. For evacuation orders and warnings in Amador County, click HERE for the Amador County Sheriff's Facebook page and HERE for their website. For current state highway/route information visit roads.dot.ca.gov.
Evacuation centers
- El Dorado Community Center 6139 Pleasant Valley Road in El Dorado
- Green Valley Community Church 2500 Missouri Flat Road in Placerville
- Amador County Fairgrounds 18621 Sherwood Street (Temporary Evacuation Point)
- Evelyn Bishop Hall 701 CA 124, Ione, CA
- Rolling Hills Church, 800 White Rock Road, El Dorado Hills
The shelter at Cameron Park CSD is currently full.
Large animals can be taken to the Amador County Fairgrounds, Empire Street at Highway 49, use the Empire Street gate. Call 530-621-5795 or 530-647-6227 for more information. For small animal shelter needs, contact the El Dorado County Animal Services at 530-621-5795.
Accounts to follow
Evacuation Maps
A map of evacuations from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office is available below.
Wildfire map
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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, 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 know 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.
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