Bumper Fire, Omega Fire Prompt Evacuations In El Dorado County
11 p.m. UPDATE - EL DORADO COUNTY- Two wildfires in El Dorado County prompted evacuations Wednesday. One Fire is burning southeast of Shingle Springs and another in Pilot Hill.
"It wasn't that you had 5-10 min to evacuate, it was you have to evacuate now," said Evacuee Cheryl Knapp.
Already stretched thin with fires burning up and down the state Cal fire crews allocated a lot of resources.
"It was panic when we got the call that we had to evacuate," said Knapp
Knapp lives right along China Hill Road and Bumper Road where evacuations were taking place near the town of Shingle Springs.
"All we did was throw the animal things in the car, grabbed our medicine, and important business papers and out on the road we went," said Knapp.
"Afraid of losing everything I ever worked for cause I already lost everything once," said Hallie Husak.
The fear was setting in for many neighbors as they watched the flames shoot up, the black billowing smoke in the air and an aggressive air attack with water dropping helicopters and planes releasing red fire retardant.
The water dropping helicopters would go back and forth for hours, hitting the hotspots along the containment lines. And the real concern was all the dry vegetation and high fuel.
Firefighters made great progress on the Bumper Fire. As of 10 p.m., it stood at 67 acres and 80% contained. Evacuation orders were lifted.
Meanwhile in Pilot Hill, forward progress was stopped in the Omega Fire, but not before destroying 1 home, and damaging two other structures. The fire is still threading homes.
"I saw the plumes of smoke and started packing my stuff. Got the Kids, dogs, and I left," said James Grubb and his wife.
The fires an apparent new normal for California.
"It's scary we are just on pins and needles all through the summer," said
As the sun sets that fiery hot orange glow was a reminder the firefighters work wasn't done.
"I'm hoping everyone's ok, and fire crews did an amazing job. I'm very thankful for them," said
The omega fire is 80 acres, 20% contained, Some Evacuation orders have been lifted.
As of 9pm road closures still in effect for:
- Pilot view drive north of Black dog drive
- Alpha Lane
- Omega circle
----
6:30 p.m. UPDATE: Forward progress has been stopped on both fires.
Two homes were damaged in the Bumper Fire while another was destroyed.
---
4 p.m. UPDATE: The Bumper Fire is now up to 30-35 acres and evacuations remain in place.
---
EL DORADO COUNTY (CBS13) — Two fires have prompted evacuations in El Dorado County.
The Bumper Fire is near China Hill and Bumper roads.
El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies are evacuating homes on China Hill Road West and Bumper Road. Homes in the are of Spice Lane and Marybelle Lane are also being evacuated.
The Omega fire has burned 25 acres between Alpha Circle and Omega Lane.
The Omega Fire has prompted evacuations on Pilot View Drive north of Pilot View Court.
An evacuation center is at 3734 China Garden Way at the Diamond Springs Firemans Hall.
