AMADOR/EL DORADO COUNTY –
UPDATE (8:35 p.m.): In a press release, Cal Fire says the Sand Fire has grown to over 4,000 acres.
UPDATE (8:30 p.m.): Cal Fire has determined the cause of the Sand Fire.
UPDATE (6:30 p.m.): According to Cal Fire, the Sand Fire has grown to over 3,000 acres.
The Sand Fire is continuing to grow and wreak havoc near the Amador and El Dorado County border.
The fire started around 5 p.m. Friday evening and quickly grew in size, threatening several homes close to the area. The fire, still at over 1,300 acres and 20 percent contained, has now spread to the Summerset/Mount Aukum area, where crews are working to prevent any more spreading.
Mandatory evacuations were put in place for the areas of Sand Ridge Road, Fresh Water, Burlwood, Morales Ranch Road, Vintage Trail, Upton Road and Twin Rivers Road. Today, evacuations were in progress from River Pines Estates, Vintage Road to Sand Ridge Road, Vintage Road to Morning Canyon Road, all of Buzzards Gulch Road and all roads off Buzzards Gulch Road.
There is also an evacuation warning in effect for the Outingdale community.
Cal Fire estimates over 450 homes are affected by the fire and recent evacuations, bringing the total to over 700.
In addition, several vineyards in the area are being threatened by the fire. Some of those vineyards have been in place for hundreds of years.
Volunteers from the American Red Cross Capital Region Chapter had opened a shelter at the El Dorado County fairgrounds. However, the shelter has now moved to Ponderosa High School.
The Placerville Police Department has issued a dense smoke advisory for the area. Police say there is no immediate threat of fire at this time. Saturday night’s racing at the Placerville Speedway has been cancelled.
FOX40 will continue to provide information about the Sand Fire as it becomes available.
Sand Fire Destroys 2 Structures, Threatens 250 in El Dorado County
Crews Battling Large Fire in Amador County
Ruben Dominguez filed this report.
The Sand Fire as seen from above. 
Smoke billows from the Sand Fire as the sun pokes over the plume. 
A helicopter drops water on the Sand Fire 
The Sand Fire sprung up and burned through around 1,300 acres in just five hours. Crews are working to keep the blaze at bay and limit evacuations. 
A VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) being used to fight the Sand Fire. Photo courtesy Terre Rouge & Easton Wines. 
The Sand Fire as seen from above. 
A helicopter collects water. 
A VLAT drops water on the fire. 
Crews work to fight the fire. 
The air attack on the fire continues. 
Smoke, flames and haze from the Sand Fire. 
Crews use backburns to fight the fire. 
A view of the fire from the hills. 
The plume of smoke can be seen from the freeway. 
The plume of smoke can be seen from the freeway.
