Evacuation orders and enhanced warnings remained in effect for El Dorado County residents Wednesday afternoon as a fire that broke out northeast of Placerville early this morning continued to spread, but the various responders battling the blaze on the ground and from the air have made little progress in containing it.
The blaze, dubbed the Crozier Fire, broke out at about 1:20 a.m. and quickly spread to over 60 acres in the rural wooded area, which contains a large amount of dry fuel to fuel the flames. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, the size of the fire was estimated at 182 acres, and firefighters were only 5% contained.
The fire is raging northeast of Slate Mountain in northern El Dorado County. As of Wednesday afternoon, evacuation orders are now also in effect for areas of Swansboro, including neighborhoods north and northwest of the Mosquito Municipal Airport.
For those left homeless by the evacuation order, there is a temporary evacuation point at the Placerville Library at 345 Fairlane in Placerville. The El Dorado County Animal Services shelter at 6435 Capitol Ave. in Diamond Springs is open to take animals left homeless by the evacuation order. If no one answers the door, please call 530-621-5795.
Cal Fire is leading the firefighting effort in conjunction with the United States Forest Service. Several units from other agencies are providing additional support. The fire is burning in steep terrain where there is plenty of dry, combustible fuel and wood, resulting in a moderate rate of spread, according to Cal Fire officials.
“It’s burning in a drainage system, so it’s pretty steep there. We’re seeing some short-range sightings in brush and woodland,” said Marjorie Minor of Cal Fire as she briefed the media on the fire’s progress on Wednesday. At this time, fire officials are not releasing any further information on the cause of the fire.
As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, fire officials reported that the size of the fire had been mapped to 244 acres and the fire was 5% contained.
To view the current map with evacuation orders and warnings for the Silver Fire, click on the perimeter map HERE.
Photos: El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit
Last update: 07.08., 15:05
