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Aug 31, 2009 10:55 am US/Pacific
Firefighters Dousing Hot Spots In Auburn
Fire Is 50 Percent Contained; Evacuees Can Call 530-823-4083 For Information On Fire
AUBURN, Calif. (CBS13) ―
Firefighters are targeting hot spots in the Auburn neighborhood where 60 buildings burned in a wildfire over the weekend.
Hundreds of firefighters from across Northern California were called to battle the "49er Fire," which grew to at least 275 acres and was about 50 percent contained. This morning, firefighters said they were able to stop the "forward progress" of the fire, but structures are still threatened.
Entire neighborhoods in Auburn near Highway 49 were scorched down to the foundations, and firefighter resources were so focused on extinguishing the blaze that officials were not able to provide an accurate count of homes and businesses lost until late Sunday night. At least 60 homes and businesses are known to have been destroyed.
The fire was sparked near Highway 49 and Bell Road at about 2:30 p.m., and wind gusts from 20 to 25 miles per hour kept smoke and embers low to the ground, spreading the flames ahead of the main body of the fire and keeping fire crews off guard as they tried to save homes in the area.
Authorities used reverse 911 phone calls to warn people to evacuate, but the seemingly random nature of the fire made it difficult to keep track of the numerous hot spots, according to CalFire officials.
Business owners and homeowners alike had very little time to salvage what they could before fire overtook their property. Emma Lujan, the owner of a Harley-Davidson store in Auburn, says a friend used a forklift to smash open the building and managed to save all of the motorcycles inside.
"He broke in the front door --
with the building on fire -- and they rescued the bikes," Emma said. "All the customers' bikes were saved."
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
The evacuation of the Saddleback area was lifted late last night to local residents only. As of early Monday morning, the evacuations still in effect are:
-Dry Creek Road east of Highway 49
-South of Dry Creek Road to Windsong Court
And Highway 49 remains closed from Bell Road to Dry Creek. Auburn Airport is also closed.
Placer County Animal Services are setting up a service center to handle the care of domesticated animals that ran away from the flames. Residents who find lost animals are asked to call the center first instead of dropping them off unannounced – (530) 886-5540.
All animals that are found will be cared for in county shelters.
PG&E shut off power to 3,700 homes at the request of CalFire. Downed power lines were making maneuvering difficult for residents and firefighters inside the fire lines.
An overnight evacuation center has been established at Calvary Chapel of Auburn at 202 Dairy Road in Auburn, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Department.
The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army are accepting donations for victims of the fire. They are especially in need of money donations.
The Salvation Army is also asking for nonperishable food and hydration items, clothes and unopened toiletries. You can donate money to the Salvation Army at the community center at 286 Sutter Street in Auburn from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mon-Fri, or mailed to P.O. Box 4088, Auburn, CA 95604.
The Red Cross is only accepting monetary donations. Their Auburn office is located at
457 Grass Valley Hwy. Suite 8, Auburn, CA 95603.
To designate cash donations to victims of the fire, write "49 Fire" on the memo line of checks.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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