Gold Country fire threatens buildings, disrupts traffic on I-80
Firefighters in Gold Country were battling a series of five fires on Wednesday that grew to 380 acres along Interstate 80, shutting down eastbound traffic, threatening 80 buildings and forcing evacuations.
Cal Fire officials said the Applegate fire started about 1:30 p.m. in Placer County.
Ponderosa Way to the State Park boundary, Bridge Trail Way, Brushy Ridge, Hidden Ridge, Cross Road and East Ridge.
Evacuation centers were opened at Sierra Vista Community Center, 55 School St., Colfax; Foresthill Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 24600 Harrison St., Foresthill and Auburn Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 100 East St., Auburn.
An animal evacuation shelter was opened at the Gold Country Fairgrounds 1273 High St., Auburn.
Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for Cal Fire, said firefighters were making progress. The fire was 10% contained Wednesday night.
One lane of the eastbound Interstate 80 from Applegate to Weimar was opened.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation.
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