Crews stop forward progress on Bonanza Fire near Shingle Springs after evacuations
A fast-moving wildfire that erupted Tuesday afternoon in El Dorado County prompted evacuations southeast of Shingle Springs and knocked out power to nearly 2,000 customers before crews stopped its forward progress.
The Bonanza Fire burned about 181 acres, Cal Fire’s Amador-El Dorado Unit said after halting the flames’ forward progress using air tankers and ground crews to hold the line near Bonanza Auto Road and Hollandview Drive. By Wednesday morning, containment had reached 15%, Cal Fire AEU said.
“Crews will continue to construct and strengthen control lines throughout the night,” firefighters said in the 9 p.m. update.
Authorities ordered evacuations for 2,865 residents in neighborhoods near Log Town, China Hill Road and Highway 49. Evacuation zones expanded throughout the afternoon as winds pushed the fire east and south.
All evacuation zones had been lifted by morning as firefighters worked to mop up hot spots, according to El Dorado County officials.
The blaze, reported just after 2:30 p.m., moved at a moderate pace through grass and brush. Its cause remains under investigation.
In a view from an AlertCalifornia surveillance camera operated by PG&E, flames could be seen shooting up over the crest from Logtown along Crystal Boulevard around 4 p.m. The area where the fire sparked — based on Cal Fire aerial photos — appears to be property used for an auto dismantler, on the 5200 block of Bonanza Auto Road, though the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Just after 4:30 p.m., a man answering the phone at LogTown Country Market — where Crystal Boulevard meets Highway 49 — offered a quick, tense account of the Bonanza Fire’s path before having to hang up.
“As you look back to the west, you can see the fire, and it’s going east,” he said. “But now it looks like it’s maybe going more toward Placerville than here. But we’re being evacuated right now.”
The call lasted less than a minute. He hung up before giving his name, rushing out as law enforcement entered the store to evacuate them.
This story was originally published June 17, 2025 at 4:18 PM.
