PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — Firefighters are responding to a blaze that is burning on both sides of Foresthill Road in Placer County.
Cal Fire responded to the vegetation fire near Foresthill Bridge in the Auburn State Recreation Area, which at the time was burning on the Auburn side. Officials say the fire is 210 acres in size and 0% contained. Spotting continues to happen ahead of the main fire.
Foresthill road is closed in both directions. At 3:50 p.m., the Placer County Sheriff's Office said Old Foresthill Road has also been closed.
The Placer County Sheriff's Office said the Upper and Lower Lake Clementine areas are being evacuated. Cal Fire NEU Chief Brian Estes said structures are threatened, but there are no reports of homes or structures destroyed. About 500 people were evacuated from the area, most were people in the area for recreation and people in the Auburn State Recreation Area.
The Placer County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation warnings for Applegate Road on the north, Boole Road to the river on the east, the North Fork of the American River on the south, and Bell Road at Musso Road on the west.
According to the Foresthill Fire Protection District, the blaze started around 1 p.m. beneath the Foresthill Bridge and has burned up to the bridge south of Foresthill Road.
"This fire is NOT under control and is still developing," the fire district said on Facebook.
Very large air tankers have been added to the fire response as well as strike teams of engines from Sacramento County ad Cal Fire Lake Napa County. The fire has seen the addition of firefighting resources from the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County.
Chief Estes said the crews will be trying to contain the fire at Foresthill Road and Old Foresthill Road, preventing anymore eastward spread.
The Auburn Police Department said the fire is not a threat to the city of Auburn and is traveling east of the Foresthill Bridge. They are asking people to avoid the river grade and the Foresthill Bridge.
Accounts to follow:
Wildfire Maps
A map following the acreage and size of the fire is available below.
WILDFIRE PREPS
According to Cal Fire, 2020 was one of the most severe fire seasons on record as 9,917 wildfires burned 4.2 million acres. Over 9,000 structures were destroyed, and 31 people (civilians and firefighters) were killed.
California also experienced its first "Gigafire" because of the August Complex Fire, burning over 1 million acres by itself. Four of California's top five largest wildfires in state history happened in 2020.
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.
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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