Firefighters are mounting an aggressive attack on a vegetation fire that broke out Tuesday afternoon along Newtown Road in El Dorado County, prompting a road closure as flames burn through timber understory and grass near multiple structures.
The Newtown Fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, in the area of the 4700 block of Newtown Road in the Pleasant Valley area southeast of Placerville.
Initial reports indicated smoke was visible from ALERTCalifornia cameras as resources responded. By approximately 2:15 p.m., incident command estimated the fire at about one acre, burning in grass and brush with a moderate rate of spread.
Conditions intensified within minutes. At approximately 2:21 p.m., incident command reported the fire was “making a pretty good push” and five additional engines were requested.
By 2:24 p.m., incident command estimated the fire had grown to approximately 2 to 3 acres with a continued moderate rate of spread. Newtown Road was subsequently closed in the area of the fire as additional resources moved into the incident.
At approximately 2:28 p.m., the fire was estimated at 3 to 4 acres.
A subsequent assessment from Air Attack revised the estimated size to approximately 1.5 to 2 acres and reported the fire was burning in timber understory and grass. Air Attack also reported that multiple structures are in the area of the fire.
The differing acreage estimates are not unusual during the initial stages of a wildfire as ground crews and aircraft develop a more accurate assessment of the fire’s footprint.
The fire is burning in a rural area where residences are scattered among timber, brush and other vegetation. The El Dorado County Fire Protection District describes much of its western slope service territory, including Pleasant Valley, as wildland-urban interface where homes and communities are intermixed with wildland vegetation.
Newtown Road is an important route through the area, connecting communities between Placerville and Pleasant Valley. County wildfire planning documents also identify Newtown Road as a primary evacuation route for nearby communities, adding significance to Tuesday afternoon’s closure.
As of the latest update, no evacuation orders or warnings had been reported in connection with the Newtown Fire. There were also no confirmed reports of structures damaged or destroyed and no injuries had been reported.
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