Fork Fire In Eldorado National Forest Grows To 2,500 Acres; Evacuations In Effect
EL DORADO COUNTY (CBS13) — The latest on the Fork Fire in the Eldorado National Forest:
12:15 p.m.
Firefighters say there is still no containment reported on the Fork Fire.
As of Wednesday morning, the US Forest Service estimates that the wildfire has grown to about 2,500 acres. Officials are still mapping the perimeter.
Mandatory evacuation orders are now in effect for Volcanoeville, Quintent and Stumpy Meadows. This affects about 600 people, officials estimate.
An evacuation center has been set up at Cool Community Church at 863 Cave Valley Road in Cool.
Officials note that Georgetown is not under an evacuation order at the moment.
#BREAKING Due to unprecedented & historic fire conditions throughout the state, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing a temporary closure of an additional ten National Forests, meaning all 18 National Forests in California are now closed. @CBSSacramento
— Dina Kupfer (@DinaKupfer) September 9, 2020
All California forests under the watch of the US Forest Service are now closed as of Wednesday, the agency says.
Previous day's updates below:
Firefighters are monitoring a new wildfire in the Eldorado National Forest.
The fire, which has been dubbed the Fork Fire, started late Tuesday morning and is burning near the Airport Flat Campground. It is about 13 miles from Foresthill, authorities say.
High winds and currently driving the fire, which the National Forest Service says has already burned more than 500 acres and is 0% contained. Firefighters are concerned that this fire could grow significantly.
READ ALSO: Placer County Issues Air Quality Advisory Due To Smoke From Fork Fire
As of Tuesday night, crews say the fire is spreading toward the burn scar of the 2014 King Fire in the Rubicon drainage on the Georgetown Ranger District.
Evacuations are in place for Loon Lake, Gerle Creek and Rubicon Trail. Later Tuesday, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for Stumpy Meadows, Quintette, and Volcanoville areas. Residents are asked to travel toward Georgetown.
An evacuation point was established at the Cool Community Church on Cave Valley Road.
Cal Fire crews are helping in the incident.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
More information to come.