Meyers Fire damages two structures near Camino and jumps Hwy. 50, prompting evacuations

A brush fire in El Dorado County that jumped Highway 50 on Thursday east of Camino destroyed at least two structures, including one home along 8 Mile Road, prompting evacuations and a brief closure of the roadway.

The so-called Meyers Fire chewed through 12 acres and was 60 percent contained by Thursday evening, said Brice Bennett, a spokesman for the Amador-El Dorado unit of Cal Fire.

At least two structures were damaged before fire crews were able to stop the forward progress of the blaze, Bennett said. He could not confirm the type of structures that were burned.

A Bee photographer on the scene said that at least one home had been destroyed by the fire.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department evacuated a neighborhood of about 30 homes clustered around Crystal Springs Road shortly after the wildfire began around 12:30 p.m., and scaled back the evacuations to several properties south of 8 Mile Road around 3 p.m., Bennett said.

The fire, which is in the popular tourist area known as Apple Hill, also prompted Caltrans to close Highway 50 and the Pony Express Trail for about four hours. Both roadways are open, but officials caution motorists to avoid the area.

An update on the blaze is expected around 7 p.m.

This story was originally published September 20, 2018 at 2:17 PM with the headline "Meyers Fire damages two structures near Camino and jumps Hwy. 50, prompting evacuations."