Some residents in El Dorado County were being ordered to evacuate while others received evacuation orders Saturday afternoon after a vegetation fire broke out in Placerville that is threatening several homes.
Around 2:20 p.m. firefighters from the El Dorado County Fire Protection District, CalFire and neighboring agencies were dispatched to the area of PayDirt Drive on Placerville.
According to early reports from incident command, the fire had quickly expanded to approximately 7 to 10 acres in size and was growing at what firefighters described as a moderate rate of speed. More that 10 additional engines from different agencies were immediately called for assistance by 2:45 p.m.
Just before 3:00 p.m. officials confirmed that evacuation orders in the immediate area were being issued as well as evacuation warnings for others due the moderate growth of the blaze.
At last report, “multiple structures,” were reportedly threatened off of Country Club Drive and Duden Drive. Firefighters have ordered an additional five engines and air attack is also underway.
At 3:25 p.m. officials report that the fire had been mapped and just over 16 acres. By 5:45 p.m. the blaze had grown to 60 acres in size and just after 7:00 p.m. it had been mapped out at a total of 77 acres but was holding within retardant lines.
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department and Placerville Police Department are assisting with road closures in the area and evacuation efforts that continue.
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. evacuation orders were already in effect from Country Club and Duden drives to the Placerville Airport and had expanded the the area of Texas Hill drive.
Road closures include upper Broadway,Airport Road, Cedar Ravine Road, County Club Drive and Paydirt Drive. Operations at the Placerville Airport have also been paused.
An evacuation center has been set up at the Placerville Library at the El Dorado County Government center.
