The Applegate fire outbreak, which initially started as five fires along the eastbound Interstate 80 in Placer County, CA, on Wednesday has gained momentum, destroying several properties and forcing locals to evacuate their homes.
Five homes have reportedly been gutted by the Applegate fire. Officials estimate that about 1,000 more are at risk of being destroyed.
Reports indicate that although no one has been injured, the Applegate fire has spread overnight from 380 to 420 acres despite widespread efforts to contain it.
According to CAL fire officials, thousands of firefighters were out battling the blaze. And on Thursday morning, approximately 20 percent of the raging flame had reportedly been contained.
"Firefighters will be hiking into the fire areas to cut containment lines. Bulldozers will be plowing buffer lines along the ridge tops and helicopters will be dropping water onto flames deep in the canyon," the Sacramento Bee reports.
The Applegate fire has forced Placer Country authorities to order an immediate and mandatory evacuation of residents of Applegate, Heather Glen, Weimar and Twin Peaks.
The Sheriff's office used emails, text messages, automated phone calls and social media to inform locals to head for evacuation centers via Ponderosa Way - just across Ponderosa Bridge to Foresthill Road.
Evacuation centers, which are equipped to provide medical assistance to locals, include the Auburn Veteran Memorial Hall located at 100 East St., Auburn, the Sierra Vista Community Center located at 55 School St., Colfax and the Veterans Memorial Hall at 24600 Harrison St., Foresthill.
Officials also announced that a shelter in the Gold County Fairgrounds, 1273 High St, Auburn, will be used as an animal evacuation center.
Several roads were closed due to the Applegate fire - including the eastbound lanes of the expressway between Auburn and Colfax at Clipper Gap.
Roads along the eastbound 1-80, where the fire started, remained closed on Thursday. Reports indicate that just one lane of the road was reopened to motorists.
Areas still blocked extend from the Applegate highway through to the Weimar Cross Road.
According to News 10, the first call alerting California Highway Patrol officials of the Applegate fire along the highway came at 1.24 PM on Wednesday afternoon.
The cause of the Applegate fire is still unknown. But local authorities suspect human involvement. An investigation is reported to have been initiated into the cause of the flame.
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