APPLEGATE FIRE UPDATES:
UPDATE 9:35 P.M. - Third Evacuation Center Opened; Traffic Flowing Again On I-80
CAL FIRE officials say the Applegate Fire - which consists of five fires in Placer County near Interstate 80 - has charred 380 acres. The fire was 10 percent contained as of late Wednesday.
Several news outlets report at three structures lost, including at least one home. At least 80 structures are threatened by the fire.
The evacuation shelters are located at:
- Auburn Veteran’s Memorial Hall 100 East St., Auburn
- Foresthill Veteran’s Memorial Hall 24600 Harrison St., Foresthill
- Sierra Vista Community Center 55 School St., Colfax
Animal Evacuation Shelter:
Gold Country Fairgrounds 1273 High St., Auburn
Mandatory evacuations are in effect for: Ponderosa Way to State Park boundary, Bridge Trail Way, Brushy Ridge, Hidden Ridge, Cross Road, East Ridge,
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
UPDATE 5:30 P.M. - At Least One Home Burned; Fire Grows To 350-400 Acres
Several media outlets are sharing photos showing the smoldering ruins of a home that burned Wednesday afternoon in the Applegate Fire in Placer County.
The fire has grown quickly to 350 to 400 acres, according to YubaNet.com.
The Red Cross tweeted that the Auburn evacuation shelter has been moved to Veterans Memorial Hall,24601 Harrison St, in Foresthill.
UPDATE: 4:30 P.M. - Fire Grows to 150 Acres
YubaNet is reporting the Applegate Fire has grown to 150 acres, with supression efforts slowing the spread of the flames. There are 250 personnel workign the fire, which started at 1:30 p.m.
UPDATE 4:20 P.M. - Road Closure Details
Five separate fires burining in Placer County along I-80 have burned 50 acres and forced the closure of the eastbound lanes of the freeway between Auburn and Colfax at Clipper Gap. Cal Trans says the estimated time for reopening of the eastbound section is 7 p.m.
Cal Trans advises automobile drivers to use Bell to Northbound Highway 49 to detour and trucks are advised to use Highway 20.
Mandatory evacuations are in effect for Pine Cone Pete Road, Hummingbird Hill Road, Panorama Lane and High View Lane.
YubaNet is reporting that six large air tankers and five helicopters are assigned to the fires and that McClellan air base is being reopened. Hand crews were transported to the fire via helicopters, which landed on the closed freeway lanes to drop off the firefighters.
UPDATE 3:27 P.M. - Evacuation Centers Opened
CAL FIRE is reporting that the Applegate Fire in Placer County has grown to 50 acres and has forced the evacuation of some homes in Weimar.
Evacuation centers have been set up in the Sierra Vista Community Center, 55 School Street, Colfax, and at Auburn Regional Park, 3770 Richardson Drive, Auburn.
UPDATE 3:05 P.M.
Original post: 2:17 P.M.
Cal Fire officials said several fires burning along eastbound Interstate 80 in the Applegate area have prompted mandatory evacuations Wednesday afternoon.
The Placer County Sheriff's Office said evacuations are in place for: Pine Cone Peak, Hummingbird Hill Road, Panorama Lane and High View Lane.
Residents can evacuate to the Sierra Vista Community Center at 55 School St., Colfax.
Cal Fire officials said seven separate fires have burned about 15 acres.
Caltrans shut down eastbound I-80 between Auburn and Colfax at Clipper Gap Road due to the grass fires. The road is expected to reopen at about 7 p.m.
-Capital Public Radio Staff
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