By CapRadio.org staff
Update: 8:51 p.m.
Hot, dry conditions and heavy fuel combined to feed the Sand Fire, which stood at 4,000 acres Saturday evening. Additional evacuations have been ordered, as more than 500 structures now stand in the fire's path and more than 1,460 personnel are assigned to the incident.
Five residences and seven structures have already been burned in the blaze that has reached an area five north of Plymouth, California. The fire started late Friday afternoon near Highway 49 and Sand Ridge Road, at the Amador-El Dorado county line.
Cal Fire officials say a vehicle in dry vegetation is the cause of the fire.
Evacuations include these areas: Sand Ridge Road, Fresh Water, Burlwood, Morales Ranch Road, Vintage Trail, Upton Road, and Twin Rivers Road.
New evacuations include; Vintage Road to Sandridge Road, Buzzards Gulch Road, Riverpine Estates, and Vintage Road to Morning Canyon Road.
Agencies at the scene include: Diamond Springs Fire, El Dorado County Fire, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, El Dorado County Sheriffs, Amador Sheriffs, Cal Trans, and American Red Cross.
The evacuation center, operated by the American Red Cross, has been relocated to Ponderosa High School, 3661 Ponderosa Road, Shingle Springs, California.
Cal Fire Update:
| Last Updated: |
July 26, 2014 8:15 pm |
| Date/Time Started: |
July 25, 2014 4:34 pm |
| Administrative Unit: |
Amador- Eldorado |
| County: |
Amador |
| Location: |
East of Highway 49, 5 miles north of Plymouth |
| Acres Burned - Containment: |
4000 Acres 20% Contained |
| Structures Threatened: |
515 |
| Structures Destroyed: |
5 residences and 7 outbuildings |
| Evacuations: |
Sand Ridge Road, Fresh Water, Burlwood, Morales Ranch Road, Vintage Trail, Upton Road, Twin Rivers Road New Evacuations in progress; Vintage Road to Sandridge Road, Buzzards Gulch Road and all of Buzzards Gulch Road. Riverpine Estates. Vintage Road to Morning Canyon Road |
| Road Closures : |
Sand Ridge Road |
| Injuries: |
1 minor injury |
| Cause: |
Vehicle into dry vegitation |
| Cooperating Agencies: |
Diamond Springs Fire, El Dorado County Fire, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, El Dorado County Sheriffs, Amador Sheriffs, Cal Trans, Red Cross |
| Total Fire Personnel: |
1464 |
| Total Fire Engines: |
149 |
| Total Fire crews: |
45 |
| Total Airtankers: |
6 |
| Total Helicopters: |
6 |
| Total Dozers: |
16 |
| Total Water Tenders: |
22 |
| Phone Numbers |
(530) 647-5218 (Incident Information) |
Update: 4:13 p.m.
A heavy air assault on the Sand Fire is continuing Saturday, with three addtional planes added to the incident, according to fire officials. Firefighters are starting back burns on Freshwater lane in an effort to lessen the fuel in the fire's path.
The fire is moving towards the Spanish Creek area, and additional evacuations are being considered. Several additional roads in the fire area have been closed.
The Amador County fair, which runs through Sunday, is accepting animals for shelter from the fire, and officials report they have already taken in several horses, rabbits, chickens and kittens. The fair is working closely with Amador County Animal Control.
Additional space for housing aminals is being prepared, and those in need of a refuge for their animals should contact fair staff at 209-245-6921.
Original post: 12:29 p.m.
The Sand Fire, which grew quickly late Friday afternoon and evening from 50 acres to 1,300 acres, is now 20 percent contained. Officials say the blaze near Highway 49 and Sand Ridge Road has consumed five homes and seven outbuildings, and another 250 structures are threatened by the fire's path.
The American Red Cross said via Twitter that 24 people registered at an emergency shelter set up at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville.
Evacuations are in effect for Sand Ridge Road to Morning Canyon; Bell Road; D Agostini Road, and Pertoni Road.
KCRA reports that a 200-pound tortoise was rescued from the fire zone, and posted a photo to Twitter:
Firefighters are working in very rugged terrain, and will be dealing with high temperatures today, as the forecast calls for a high near 100 degrees. More than 670 personnel are working the fire, according to the Cal Fire incident report.
Five air tankers and seven helicopters are assigned to the incident, dropping flame retardant and water onto the very dry fuel in the forest. There has been one minor injury, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Cal Fire Update:
| Last Updated: |
July 26, 2014 8:00 am |
| Date/Time Started: |
July 25, 2014 4:34 pm |
| Administrative Unit: |
Amador- Eldorado |
| County: |
Amador |
| Location: |
East of Highway 49, 5 miles north of Plymouth |
| Acres Burned - Containment: |
1300 Acres 20% Contained |
| Structures Threatened: |
250 |
| Structures Destroyed: |
5 residences and 7 outbuildings |
| Evacuations: |
Sand Ridge Road, Fresh Water, Burlwood, Morales Ranch Road, Vintage Trail, Upton Road, Twin Rivers Road, |
| Road Closures : |
Sand Ridge Road |
| Injuries: |
1 minor injury |
| Cause: |
Under investigation |
| Total Fire Personnel: |
672 |
| Total Fire Engines: |
53 |
| Total Fire crews: |
21 |
| Total Airtankers: |
5 |
| Total Helicopters: |
7 |
| Total Dozers: |
9 |
| Total Water Tenders: |
12 |
| Phone Numbers |
(530) 647-5218 (Incident Information) |
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