Caldor Fire in El Dorado County grows to 65,474 acres, threatens mountain communities
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Thu, 08/19/2021 - 10:42am
The Caldor Fire south of Pollock Pines in El Dorado County, Calif., grew to 65,474 acres overnight Wednesday with zero containment as of Thursday morning.
The town of El Dorado, Somerset, Pleasant Valley, Fairplay, Omo Ranch and Riverton are among communities threatened. The community of Grizzly Flats was hit hard by the fire, losing a school, post office and homes.
Fire growth was moderated overnight due to increased humidity. Spotting and rollout continued to be the main contributor to fire spread throughout the evening. Spot fires remain hidden for long durations due to dense timber stands and limited road access.
For the next operational period fire behavior will increase in the afternoon when the inversion layer lifts. Expect multiple new spot fires in the North and Northeast areas of the incident, causing potential fire growth. A Red Flag Warning in the fire area ends at 11 a.m.
Here is the latest update from Cal Fire on evacuations and road closures:
EL DORADO COUNTY MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ORDERS:
- Grizzly Flat: The areas on Grizzly Flats Road east of Kendra Way into Grizzly Flats Proper. The areas of Diamond Railroad Grade, Old School House, Sweeney Road, Caldor Road, and steely Ridge.
• Grizzly Flats Road east of four corners in Somerset into Grizzly Flats Proper.
- The areas of Myers Lane, Varmet Ridge Road, Rodwell Canyon Road, Snowbird Lane, and Mehwald Lane.
• East of Sly Park Road between Highway 50 and Mormon Emigrant Trail to Ice House Road. This includes the communities of Pacific House and Fresh Pond.
• North of Highway 50 ,east of Forebay Road to Ice House Road.
• Intersection of Perry Creek and Hawk Haven , the East side of Fairplay Road from Perry Creek South to Cedarville Road. This includes Slug Gulch, Omo Ranch, and all roads off of Slug Gulch and Omo Ranch.
• All roads off of Omo Ranch from Cedarville Road to Hwy 88.
• The area between Highway 88 and Mormon Emigrant Trail
• South of Highway 50 from Snows Road to Ice House Road.
• Between Highway 50 and Slab Creek from Snows Road to Ice House Road.
- South of Highway 50 from Ice House Road to Silver Fork Road. This includes the community of Kyburz.
• North of Highway 50 from Ice House Road to Silver Fork Road to include Ice House Reservoir, Union Valley Reservoir, and Loon Lake.
EVACUATION WARNINGS:
• North of Slab Creek to Wentworth Springs Road between Sand Mountain and Loon Lake.
• Mosquito Road from the bridge North to include the Community of Swansboro.
• North of Highway 50 to Slab Creek between Smith Flat and Snows Road.
• South of Highway 50 to Pleasant Valley between Smith Flat and Snows Road, and North of Pleasant Valley between Holm and Newtown.
• South of Pleasant Valley between Bucks Bar Road and Newtown Road, East of Bucks Bar Road to Mt Aukum Road.
• Southwest of Bucks Bar Road to Ladies Valley Road including the community of Outingdale, Ant Hill Road, Perry Creek Road and Sand Ridge between Ladies Valley Road and Bucks Bar Road.
• East of Mt Aukum Road (E16) from Bucks Bar Road to Omo Ranch Road. North of Omo Ranch Road to the intersection of Omo Ranch Road and Fairplay Road.
• South of Omo Ranch to the El Dorado County Line between Mt Aukum Road (E16) and Fairplay Road to include Coyoteville Road, Cedar Creek and all tributary roads.
• North of Slab Creek to Wentworth Springs Road between Sand Mountain and Loon Lake.
• Mosquito Road from the bridge North to include the Community of Swansboro.
• North of Highway 50 to Slab Creek between Smith Flat and Snows Road.
AMADOR COUNTY - EVACUATION WARNINGS
- Shenandoah Road at the Amador County line west through the River Pines community, continuing west on Shenandoah Road to Ostrom Road. South on Ostrom Road to Jibboom Street, West on Jibboom Street to Fiddletown Road. East on Fiddletown Road to Hale Road. South on Hale Road to Shake Ridge Road.
East on Shake Ridge Road to Charleston Road. South on Charleston Road to the intersection of Charleston Road and Rams Horn Grade. Due east to Highway 88 at Tiger Creek Road. Tiger Creek Road east to Salt Springs Reservoir Road. East on Salt Springs Reservoir Road to the east end of the Salt Springs Reservoir. Due north from the east end of Salt Springs Reservoir to Highway 88.
