On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for El Dorado County, California, due to a wildfire that ignited over the weekend in Northern California, ravaging Grizzly Flats, a forest community of around 12,000 people. The Caldor fire tripled in size within a day and almost leveled a small town, says officials. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services tweeted on Tuesday that the fire “exploded in size Monday night.”
According to CNN, Cal Fire officials reported that the fire burning in El Dorado County has charred more than 30,000 acres and is 0% contained. “The fire continues to pose a high risk to multiple populated communities,” Cal Fire also said in a Tuesday update. CNN also reports that many structures have been destroyed; including an elementary school in the Pioneer Union School District, a community church, and a post office, while many other structures are threatened. According to AP News, fire officials estimate that at least 50 homes had burned since the fire erupted Saturday. Two people had to be airlifted to hospitals due to them getting seriously injured in the area. According to the office of emergency services, about 6,850 people are evacuated, with even more being expected. “Additional evacuations orders are anticipated. The Fire is predicted to impact Sly Park Lake and interstate travel including important evacuation routes,” Cal Fire said. This comes two weeks after the devastating Dixie Fire destroyed most of the Gold Rush-era town of Greenville.