Wildfire ignites northeast of Placerville, forcing evacuations in El Dorado County

A wildfire ignited northeast of Placerville early Wednesday, prompting evacuation warnings for communities in El Dorado County.

The Crozier fire started at 1:21 a.m. on the northwest side of Slate Mountain, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It had burned 182 acres, and as of 11:30 a.m., it was 5% contained.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Cal Fire.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders and warnings for residences in the Mosquito/Swansboro communities around 2 a.m.

The evacuation order was issued for neighborhoods that are north and northeast from the Mosquito Airport to the fire line.

Evacuation warning zones — meaning there is impending danger to life and property and an order to leave may follow — have been extended in the last several hours to include areas north to Quintet and south of the evacuation order zone, east along Highway 193, and north along Wentworth Springs Road.

The community of Volcanoville is also under an evacuation warning, according to the sheriff’s office.

Residents can check Perimetermap.com for more information on evacuation areas.

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For residents who are displaced, there is a temporary evacuation point at the Placerville Library, located at 345 Fair Lane. The center is a place to gather, get water and snacks and determine the next steps, but it’s not an overnight shelter, according to El Dorado County. Pets on a leash or in kennels are welcome at the evacuation point.

The El Dorado County Animal Services Shelter, at 6435 Capitol Ave. in Diamond Springs, will be open to house animals displaced by the evacuation order. If no one answers the door, please call (530) 621-5795.

The Crozier fire is the latest blaze in an already explosive fire season. Wildfires have scorched more than 798,000 acres and destroyed or damaged more than 1,100 structures statewide this year, according to Cal Fire.