Updates, evacuation orders from the scene below: For current evacuation warnings and notices for this incident click here.
EL DORADO HILLS – Ground and air crews are battling a vegetation fire that broke out Monday afternoon near the 2000 block of Sweet Valley Road in El Dorado Hills, where the blaze quickly grew in size and prompted law enforcement to begin preparing evacuation warnings for nearby residents.
The blaze, named the Valley Fire, was first reported at 1:33 p.m., when smoke was spotted on ALERTCalifornia cameras in the Pilot Hill and El Dorado County region. Within minutes, Incident Command reported the fire at 7 to 10 acres, burning uphill at a moderate rate of spread. Requests were made for five additional engines, two water tenders, and four additional hand crews to reinforce the initial response.
By 1:42 p.m., radio traffic confirmed the fire had expanded to 10 to 15 acres, spreading at a moderate to rapid pace and making containment efforts difficult. By 2:01 p.m., the fire was reported the fire appeared to be approximately 20 acres from air estimated, burning to the northeast at a moderate rate of spread. Incident Command noted that fire activity had slowed compared to earlier in the afternoon.
Air resources were quickly mobilized. At 1:47 p.m., Air Attack requested two additional type-3 air tankers and one type-1 large air tanker to support crews on the ground. Aircraft are now working alongside engines and hand crews to slow the fire’s advance.
At 1:54 p.m., radio traffic confirmed that law enforcement was being sent to Sands Road and Martel Creek Road to conduct evacuation warnings. Authorities are advising residents in the area to remain alert and be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.
Update: 2:20 p.m, Mandatory Evacuations now in place: According to CalFire a Mandatory Evacuation Order in place for the area of Sweet Valley Road and Hickcok Road and Sands Road and Rough Ridge Road, located within the Rescue Perimeter Zone, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. Residents are instructed to evacuate the area toward Green Valley Road.
A temporary evacuation point has been established at the Placerville Library, 345 Fair Lane in Placerville. Officials are urging evacuees to drive safely and remain alert for emergency responders working in the area. Incident Command has requested 10 wildland engines, four crews, four water tenders, and two dozers to reinforce the firefighting effort.
Update 2:47 p.m, Mandatory Evacuation Orders have now expanded to include Kanaka Valley Road and the attached roads. This area is located in the Rescue Perimeter Zone. Calls are being made to evacuate the area towards Green Valley Road, per the El Dorado County Sheriffs Department.
Update 3:11 p.m.: Evacuation warnings are now in place for the area of Deer Valley Road and Starbucks Road.
Update 3:40 p.m.: CalFire reports they have gained 5% containment on the fire. Fire mapping update shows the burn area so far to ba approximately 16 acres. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.
For current evacuation warnings and notices for this incident click here.
The fire continues to burn in steep foothill terrain, complicating firefighting efforts, according to radio traffic from incident command. This is a developing situation, and updates will follow as more information is gathered from the incident scene.
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