Fires

Evacuations ordered in El Dorado County after flames erupted at home and spread, officials say

The Moccasin Fire burns Tuesday in El Dorado County after a fire broke out near Oak Hill Road.
The Moccasin Fire burns Tuesday in El Dorado County after a fire broke out near Oak Hill Road. ALERTCalifornia | UC San Diego

A fire that ignited Tuesday at an El Dorado County home spread into vegetation, prompting evacuation orders, authorities said.

Flames charred about 50 acres near Oak Hill Road, off of Moccasin Trail as of 6:05 p.m., according to Cal Fire. The fire, in a rural area west of Somerset and south of Diamond Springs, was growing at a moderate rate of spread, Cal Fire’s Amador-El Dorado unit said on social media.

Cal Fire said the blaze had not been contained as of 4:40 p.m. as the county’s evacuation website showed a spot fire broke out. The cause is under investigation.

Smoke on Tuesday shrouded vegetation burning in the Moccasin Fire, according to the El Dorado County Fire Protection District.
Smoke on Tuesday shrouded vegetation burning in the Moccasin Fire, according to the El Dorado County Fire Protection District. El Dorado County Fire Protection District

Firefighters ordered these areas to evacuate: Moccasin Trail, Nashville Trail, Metate Trail, Calamity Lane, Rocky Ridge Road, Los Cerros Drive, Pepperland Road and Meander Lane.

Residents in these areas were under evacuation warnings: along Horizon Drive, spanning west to the intersection of Dream Ranch Circuit and Sand Ridge Road; roads included the Yearling Trail, Beaver Canyon Road, Boulder Point Lane and Dawn Rose Lane.

Cal Fire said a temporary evacuation shelter has been created at the El Dorado County Library on Fair Lane in Placerville. Animals can be taken to an evacuation shelter at Saureel Vineyards, 1140 Cold Springs Road, in Placerville, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.

This story was originally published July 2, 2024 at 3:44 PM.

Ishani Desai
The Sacramento Bee
Ishani Desai is a government watchdog reporter for The Sacramento Bee. She previously covered crime and courts for The Bakersfield Californian.
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