EL DORADO COUNTY—Firefighters made progress overnight on the Coyote Fire burning in El Dorado County, gaining 5 percent containment even as the blaze grew to 554 acres by Thursday morning, according to Cal Fire. The fire continues to burn in steep, wooded terrain where evacuation warnings remain in effect for nearby communities.
Two night-flying helicopters, guided by a helicopter coordinator, dropped water along the southern edge of the fire overnight. Ground crews also gained access to a spot fire on the southeast side. Within the fire’s interior, officials reported a 50- to 60-acre “island” of heavy timber that continues to burn, surrounded by already scorched ground.
Additional aerial resources were ordered for Thursday morning, including six air tankers—two of them large type-1 LATs—six type-1 helicopters, an air attack aircraft, and another helicopter coordinator. Those aircraft were scheduled to begin flight operations at 8 a.m.
The Coyote Fire was first reported shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday near Cedar Creek Road and Coyoteville Lane in the Somerset area, about 15 miles southeast of Placerville. It quickly spread through dry fuels and heavy timber, producing large plumes of white and gray smoke that were visible on wildfire cameras and from surrounding communities. Fire behavior included torching trees and spotting, which pushed flames beyond initial control efforts.
Evacuation warnings were issued soon after the fire’s ignition and remain in effect Thursday for residents in the Omo and Somerset zones, including areas from Omo Ranch Road south to Farnham Ridge Road and east to the South Fork of the Cosumnes River. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has advised residents to be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice, with Mt. Aukum Road recommended as the primary evacuation route due to the volume of emergency vehicles in the area.
From its initial report, crews responded aggressively, sending multiple dozers, strike teams, and aircraft to slow the fire’s advance. The incident remains in challenging terrain with heavy fuels that continue to burn. Authorities continue to urge residents in the affected zones to monitor official updates and remain ready to evacuate if conditions change.
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