Close call for residents near Diamond Springs after fire spreads from barn to vegetation
EL DORADO COUNTY – It was a close call for homeowners near Diamond Springs on Thursday after a grass fire got dangerously close, prompting evacuation orders.
The fire, which was first reported around 5:30 p.m., started off North Circle Drive as a barn fire. The flames then spread to surrounding vegetation and was pushed along by wind.
Evacuation orders were issued as multiple structures were threatened.
Two planes and a helicopter helped dump retardant -- keeping the flames confined to the Diamond Springs hills.
The initial fire ended up spotting to three separate fires. In all, they burned about 4 acres each.
Evacuation orders were lifted a little after 7 p.m., according to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, after Cal Fire crews stopped the forward progress of the fire.
Crews will be out overnight monitoring the hot spots.
Hard traffic closures were in effect at Pleasant Valley Road and Canyon Valley, and North Circle and Fowler Lane.