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Firefighters Make Progress On Sand Fire; Hundreds Still Evacuated

Sunday, July 27, 2014 | Sacramento, CA | Permalink
Photo courtesy Yubanet.com

Auburn Fire Strike Team on the Sand Fire.

Photo courtesy Yubanet.com

By CapRadio.org Staff

Saturday's Sand Fire Coverage

Cal Fire's Sand Fire Incident Updates

 

Update: 10:05 p.m.:

Crews continue to make progress on the Sand Fire, with the blaze 50 percent contained as of Sunday evening. Acreage burned remains at 3,800 acres. Full containment is expected on August 4, according to Cal Fire.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for several areas, including: Sand Ridge Road to Morning Canyon Road; Vintage Trail to Sand Ridge Road; Bell RoadD Agostini Rd., Bertone Road; all of Buzzards Gulch Road; and all roads off of Buzzrds Gulch Road; Fairplay Road; and Dorado.

Road closures include: Sand Ridge Road, from Highway 49 to Bucks Bar Road; Mt. Aukum Road; E16 to Bucks Bar Road; Fairplay Road to E16; and Bell Road.

Cal Fire says 515 structures are threatened by the fire.

 

 

Update: 3:00 p.m.: 

The Sand Fire is holding at 3,800 acres and 35 percent containment. 

Despite heavy smoke from the fire, the winds are keeping the air relatively clear at the Amador County Fair, which remains open with a full schedule of events. The fairgrounds in Plymouth is also open for sheltering animals from the fire.

Fair officials said in a release they currently have 18 horses, 15 chickents, 13 goats, nine rabbits, eight dogs and six cats in temporary quarters. 

 

 

 

Update: 11:53 a.m.:

The air attack on the Sand Fire has resumed following a short delay due to reports of a drone flying in the area. Officials stopped the aerial water and fire retardant drops on the fire for safety concerns after a video appeared on YouTube showing the fire from above.

The operator of the remote-controlled helicopter was contacted, and the all-clear was given, according to updates on Twitter from fire officials.

 

Original Post: 11:43 a.m.:

Air and ground efforts to quell the Sand Fire are having a positive effect, as the blaze is 35 percent contained, with 3,800 acres burned. Five additional residences have been burned, bringing the total to 10, with another seven structures also lost to the fire, according to Cal Fire.

The fire is burning five miles north of Plymouth, California in heavy timber and grass. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated, and more than 500 structures are threatened by the fire.

Rising temperatures are resulting in increased fire activity, although good progress is being made on the fire lines. Six air tankers, six helicopters, 149 engines and 16 bulldozers are on the incident, along with nearly 1,500 personnel.  

Officials say full containment of the fire is expected on Aug. 4. 

A YouTube.com video posted by Jayzaerial. The poster said a remote-controlled helicopter was used to capture a portion of the video. 

The video has resulted in a temporary halt in air operations, as crews are searching for the "drone," which poses a potential safety hazard, according to a report on YubaNet.com.

 

Sand Incident Information:
Last Updated: July 26, 2014 8:15 pm  
Date/Time Started: July 25, 2014 4:34 pm  
Administrative Unit: Amador- Eldorado 
County: Amador  
Location: East of Highway 49, 5 miles north of Plymouth  
Acres Burned - Containment: 4000 Acres 20% Contained  
Structures Threatened: 515  
Structures Destroyed: 10 residences and 7 outbuildings  
Evacuations: Sand Ridge Road, Fresh Water, Burlwood, Morales Ranch Road, Vintage Trail, Upton Road, Twin Rivers Road New Evacuations in progress; Vintage Road to Sandridge Road, Buzzards Gulch Road and all of Buzzards Gulch Road. Riverpine Estates. Vintage Road to Morning Canyon Road  
Road Closures : Sand Ridge Road  
Injuries: 1 minor injury  
Cause: Vehicle into dry vegetation 
Cooperating Agencies: Diamond Springs Fire, El Dorado County Fire, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, El Dorado County Sheriffs, Amador Sheriffs, Cal Trans, Red Cross  
Total Fire Personnel: 1464  
Total Fire Engines: 149  
Total Fire crews: 45  
Total Airtankers: 6  
Total Helicopters: 6  
Total Dozers: 16  
Total Water Tenders: 22  
Phone Numbers  (530) 647-5218 (Incident Information) 
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