Fast-moving Excelsior Fire in Sacramento County that forced evacuations now fully contained
SACRAMENTO COUNTY – Roads are getting ready to be reopened, and residents will soon be allowed to come home, after the Excelsior Fire in Sacramento County.
Sacramento Metro Fire said its crews responded to a "very large vegetation" fire west of Sloughhouse around 11:45 a.m. on Father's Day.
The fire was burning near Excelsior Road and Jackson Road and was threatening multiple homes and livestock.
"When we first arrived, we had a significant column that was very limited on visibility so our crews were driving through smoke. We obviously have to take a lot of precautions. We want to get to those homes," Sac Metro Battalion Chief Parker Wilbourn said.
An evacuation order was issued for people who live within a one-mile radius of Jackson Road and Sunrise Boulevard, the sheriff's office said around 1:30 p.m. Just after 4 p.m., the sheriff's office said that evacuation order was lifted.
But about 30 minutes after the sheriff's office said the evacuation order was lifted, Sac Metro said evacuation orders and road closures remain.
By 5 p.m., the sheriff's office said it was not repopulating the area yet but the evacuation order had been lifted.
Shortly after 10 p.m., Sac Metro posted to social media saying the evacuation order was still in effect, along with road closures from Sunrise Boulevard to Excelsior Road on Jackson Highway. Firefighters said an active fire threat remains.
Sac Metro said the Sacramento Office of Emergency Services is attempting to reach all people who have been displaced and help them with a temporary evacuation point for Sunday night.
Several outbuildings were destroyed in the blaze.
Crews reported the fire to be nearly 900 acres with 100% containment as of Monday morning.
Gurdeeb Brar lives on Jackson Road and said he was forced to leave a cat behind.
"We saw the ambulance coming here and we saw this big fire. And then we tried to fight around the house but then they told us to leave," Brar said.
The area is under a Red Flag Warning with north winds at about 15-20 mph and gusts reaching up to 35 mph. Dry winds, combined with low humidity, will make it easy for fires to start and spread rapidly.
"It's very hot, it's very dry, relative humidity is very low, we got a breeze and those are all ingredients for a fast-moving fire," said Wilbourn. "We saw that today."
Sac Metro reported gusty winds topping 30 mph and limited visibility from smoke.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
"A small spark can cause a major fire," said Wilbourn. "We need our community to be diligent and prevent these kinds of tragedies."
No injuries have been reported.
"We just need to watch out," said Brar. "It started from somewhere you know."
Cal Fire assisted Sac Metro by responding with aircraft and ground resources.