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PLACER COUNTY, Calif. (KTXL) — Authorities in Placer and Nevada counties have issued evacuation orders after a fire started at a campground near Colfax.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said flames jumped the Bear River and threatened areas east of Dog Bar Road.
As of Thursday morning, the River Fire is 2,400 acres and 0% contained, according to Cal Fire official Isaac Sanchez. An estimated 50 structures have been destroyed.
Cal Fire said approximately 5,200 people have been told to evacuate.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office is now telling everyone to immediately leave the areas north of Retherford Road; Sierra Knoll Estates and east; south of Taylor Crossing Road; and west of the Bear River.
According to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, people should also evacuate if they live in the area that starts at the Bear River Campground and extends to both sides of Milk Ranch Road to Tokayana Way.
Evacuation warnings were quickly shifted to mandatory evacuation orders as the fire moved north. They include the areas north of Buck Ridge Road; Dog Bar Road and east; south of Rattlesnake Road and Birch Meadow Acres; and west of Clydesdale Road. East of that, the sheriff’s office has issued mandatory orders for those: north and south of Mt. Olive Road; south and west of Highway 174; north of Sunshine Valley and Panorama Drive; east of Woodpecker Ravine north of Bear River; east of Mt. Olive Road, including Rolphholm and Clydesdale roads; south of Greenhorn Access Road; west of Rollins Lake; north of the Bear River; and east of Highway 174.
The town of Colfax, the area west of the railroad tracks to the river and from Mt. Howell Road north to Rollins Lake were also put under an Evacuation Order.
A map posted by the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services shows evacuation warnings have been added for areas to the north.
Residents can go to the Gold Country Fairgrounds and Event Center at 209 Fairgate Road in Auburn after 5 p.m. Residents evacuating north can go to Nevada Union High School.
For overnight shelters, residents can go to Bear River High School and Auburn Regional Park: Both will open by 8 p.m.
There was a Temporary Evacuation Point at Auburn Memorial Hall, but around 7:10 p.m., the American Red Cross California Gold Country Region said it would be closing soon.
At a Cal Fire press conference, officials said there are about 4,200 residents under Evacuation Orders and warnings in Nevada County. In Placer County, there are 2,400 residents under Evacuation Orders.
“If you receive an evacuation warning, please go. If you receive an order, get out. Do not take your chances,” said Placer County Sheriff Devon Bell.
For residents with animals, Placer County Animal Services has some recommendations.
Evacuees requiring support with animals are encouraged to seek boarding, hotel, or other options, as animals are not allowed at the shelter locations. If additional support is needed, small or large animals can be taken to our Placer County Animal Services Center at 11232 B Avenue Auburn, CA 95603. Our hours will be extended for the duration of the event or until we are advised we are no longer needed. We are in this together, Placer!
Placer County Animal Services
There are an estimated 35 to 40 structures that are damaged or destroyed, according to Cal Fire.
Caltrans said southbound Highway 174 is closed at Lower Colfax Road and Bear River Bridge. The eastbound and westbound Interstate 80 on and offramps at the Hwy 174 separation are closed.