POLLOCK PINES-
Five days after the King Fire’s ignition, the is continuing its spread and is causing more more people to evacuate their homes.
The King Fire is currently only 10% contained and has burned over 114 square miles of forestland. To put the size of the fire into perspective, Sacramento’s city limits cover just over 100 square miles.
Highway 50 opened up briefly Thursday afternoon, but then was shut down again 15 minutes later after flareups made driving conditions dangerous. The highway is currently closed from Pollock Pines to Riverton.
Hwy 50 closing again due to #KingFire. Had about 15 minute opening before more flareups forced closure
— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) September 18, 2014
There are 3,842 fire personnel on scene at the fire. The steep terrain and dry conditions caused the fire to work its way into Placer County.
There are mandatory evacuation orders for Crystal Basin, the entire community of Swansboro, and the eastside of Forebay Road from King of the Mountain Road to Pony Express Trail.
All evacuations have been lifted for the communities of Gold Ridge and Lakewood Spring.
Evacuation centers have been set up at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Camino and the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center.