Evacuations lifted after ‘human caused’ fire in Rio Linda burns 3 outbuildings

A voluntary evacuation was issued for several homes Monday after a “human caused” vegetation fire sparked in northern Sacramento County and burned at least three structures.

Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District officials said just before 3 p.m. that forward progress had been stopped on the brush fire that ignited an hour before near Dry Creek Road and Elkhorn Boulevard in Rio Linda.

Officials said the blaze had charred at least 17 acres, destroyed two outbuildings and damaged another structure.

Evacuations were lifted just after 6 p.m., officials said.

Dry Creek Parkway, an area near the fire, was closed for about two hours, according to Metro Fire Battalion Chief Chris Vestal. A part of Elkhorn Boulevard just south of the blaze was closed for a time, he said.

Vestal said the fire was “human caused on a residential property.” He added that arson investigators would be taking over the case.

This story was originally published July 7, 2025 at 3:01 PM.