EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif.—A slow-growing fire about an hour west of South Lake Tahoe reached 3 square miles Aug. 9 and forced several residents to leave their homes in the region known for its apple orchards, wine country, and Christmas tree farms.
The Crozier fire started early Wednesday on the northwest slope of Slate Mountain in El Dorado County, California.
“This fire has shown to be a slow-growing fire,” the California Department of Forestry and Fire Management (Cal Fire) spokesman Dave Launcher told The Epoch Times. “It’s in heavy timber and it’s growing a couple of hundred acres a day.”
The county sheriff ordered evacuations for the Mosquito and Swansboro communities, and areas east of State Route 49: Georgetown, Volcanoville, and Quinette. Evacuation warnings were also issued for a large area around the fire.
Cause
Cal Fire officials are still investigating what caused the fire.Amid rumors that arsonists may have started the fire, Placerville Police Commander Dan Maciel said the community might be hearing “a little bit of misinformation,” as the issue is still under investigation. Officers arrested a suspected arsonist the day the fire started, but it was in connection to a separate fire, he said.
‘Pretty Scary’
Some residents in Camino, a rural community in El Dorado County, worried winds would shift and the fire could head their way. The community is still recovering from the Caldor fire, which scorched 346 square miles in 2021 and swept through the county.“It’s pretty scary,” Keith Cotterell, manager of the Chevron station in Camino, told The Epoch Times. “I’ve got a little PTSD from Caldor, so I’m worried about it.”
The fire was about six miles from the gas station Friday afternoon as helicopters continued to dump water and red fire retardant on the flames.
Christian Collins, owner of Sierra Taphouse and Pizza in Camino, moved to the community two years ago with his wife to open their restaurant.
“It’s definitely a little unnerving, considering we can see the smoke from here,” Collins said.
‘Frustrating’
Hot daytime temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds were fueling the flames, according to Cal Fire.More than 1,500 firefighting personnel were assigned to battle the blaze, which was located in heavy timber, thick brush, and difficult-to-reach areas, helped by 12 helicopters, 138 fire engines, and seven bulldozers.
Matthew Rhodes of Pollock Pines was keeping an eye on the fire Friday. He wanted to know if he might need to evacuate in the next few hours or days, he said.
“It’s just frustrating because it happens all the time,” Rhodes said. “I know the territory up there, it’s rough territory.”
