COOL, Calif — A wildfire in Northern California has prompted evacuations and injured two firefighters.
California's state firefighting agency says the fire began Tuesday afternoon in El Dorado County. The fire had burned 85 acres near the rural community of Cool, about 40 miles northeast of Sacramento.
Pastor Drew Buell of the Cool Community Church spoke with ABC10 about how the community responded.
“As soon as you hear ‘fire,’ everybody is really nervous about what exactly that means,” Buell said.
Cool Community Church was designated as the evacuation center for those residents who were forced to flee their homes.
“Everybody’s really on high alert in trying to be really careful in keeping an eye out on things, and as a church, we just want to be here to help people. We hope that it’s not necessary, you know, for us to be a shelter for evacuation, but if it is, then we’re ready to go and just to serve our community however we can,” Buell said.
The firefighting agency reported two firefighters had minor injuries, without providing details. Buell said he knew one of those firefighters.
“We know that one fire engine was burnt over entirely. One of the guys is a friend of mine, he’s been at our church before, and I think he was medi-evacuated or air-lifted out, and I heard he’s going to be going home tonight," Buell told ABC10.
Firefighters had halted the fire's forward progress by early evening, making the fire 25-percent contained. Crews were attacking the fire with engines, helicopters, air tankers and bulldozers. Several streets remained under evacuation orders.
“We have a really good team up here between our various fire stations. They do a great job,” Buell said.
Authorities said they did not know how the fire started. It is one of at least seven wildfires burning across California.
As of 9 p.m., there were about 440 PG&E utility customers without power because of the fire. Officials said power restoration is expected around 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Fire officials told ABC10 they expect to update the media about the fire at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
Country Fire photos from El Dorado County | Gallery
Update: 5:50 p.m.
According to Cal Fire's Amador-El Dorado Unit, forward progress has been stopped on the Country Fire.
Containment has reached 20 percent.
So far, the Country Fire has seen two injuries related to heat exhaustion and four structures burned. The extent of the damage on those structures is not yet known.
About 250 firefighters continue to battle the fire as it burns east of Cool in El Dorado County near HW 193.
Update: 5:30 p.m.
A Cal Fire spokesperson said that there have been two reported injuries related to heat exhaustion as fire crews combat the Country Fire in El Dorado County.
Four structures have also burned, however, the extent of the damage is not yet known.
Currently, there about 250 firefighters working to contain the fire. Containment currently stands at 10 percent.
Update: 4:50 p.m.
The Country Fire east of Cool in El Dorado County continues to burn near Highway 193 since starting around 1:33 p.m.
Firefighters say the fire is burning a moderate rate of spread toward the community of Auburn Lake Trails.
While crews have notched 10 percent containment on the 75 acre blaze, Cal Fire says two firefighters have suffered minor injuries as the fire continues to burn and threaten structures in the area.
25 engines, six water tenders, three helicopters, 10 hand crews, two dozers, five air tankers, a medic, and an air attack have been assigned to the fire.
Closures have been set up along all roads from HW 49 and HW 193 east to Sweetwater Trail.
Mandatory evacuations currently include the following locations:
- Sweetwater Trail
- Cascade Trail
- Bald Eagle Court
- Secret Ravine Trail
- Stoney Hill Court
- Cattail Court
- West side of Greenhorn Trail
- Courageous Court
- Pilgrim court
- Trillium Lane
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, there is an evacuation center at Cool Community Church, located at 863 Cave Valley Road in Cool.
For a look at live traffic conditions, view the Waze map below:
Update: 4:07 p.m.
Officials have confirmed that the Country Fire has reached 75 acres and firefighters have notched 10 percent containment.
Update: 3:27 p.m.
According to Cal Fire, the Country Fire burning in El Dorado County has reached about 60 acres.
The acreage is up from the 15 to 20 acres that officials estimated around 2:30 p.m.
Original Story:
A wildfire burning near Highway 193 in El Dorado County has prompted evacuations for people in the area.
Firefighters are combating the blaze as it burns off Highway 193 and Penobscot Road east of Cool. Cal Fire spokesperson Diane Swart said the fire is currently at 15 to 20 acres.
Evacuated areas include Cascade Trail between Greenhorn Trail and Sweetwater Trail, Secret Ravine, Stoney Hill, and Bald Eagle. Mandatory evacuations were recently extended to include Courageous Lane, Courageous Court, Pilgrim Court, and Trillium Lane.
An evacuation center has been set up at Cool Community Church located at 863 Cave Valley Road.
According to CHP Placerville, Highway 193 has been shut down in the Auburn Lake Trails area due to the fire. The closure goes from Sliger Mine Road to HW-49.
Officials say there are no structures burned or injuries at this point.
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