A fire burning northwest of Foresthill in Placer County was reported 20 percent contained at 200 acres shortly before 10 p.m.
Calfire officials said evacuations will remain in effect overnight, with shelter available at the Foresthill Veterans Memorial Hall, 24601 Harrison Road, Foresthill. Mike Fitch, a Placer County spokesman, said about 25 people planned to spend the night. An evacuation center in Colfax was closed when there appeared to be little need for a shelter at that location.
The fire is in rugged terrain east of the north fork of the American River. It was burning on the Foresthill side of the river early this evening, moving toward Iowa Hill. The fire began about 3:20 p.m. and quickly grew to 200 acres.
Daniel Berlant, spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, reported that 250 firefighters, six air tankers, five helicopters and 20 engines were battling the blaze. As of 7 p.m., he said firefighters had begun to make good progress with the equipment on scene.
The Placer County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation order for residents of the Kings Hill Road area and broadcast a notice for residents within a one-mile radius of Iowa Hill to be ready to evacuate.
Berlant said the fire started in the area of Shirttail Canyon and Yankee Jim's roads and was burning from the river up the side of the canyon. Although the California Highway Patrol had received reports that the fire might have been started by fireworks, Berlant said investigators on scene have not determined the cause of the fire.
With the high temperatures, low humidity and dry vegetation, he said, it doesn't take long for a small fire to get out of hand. Berlant said 25 acres had burned by the time firefighters arrived.
For evacuation-related information, call the Placer County Office of Emergency Services at (530) 886-5310.
Photo: Smoke rises from the Robbers Fire which started about 3:20 p.m. today near Shirttail Cayon and Yankee Jim roads near Foresthill. Photo Courtesy California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
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