Large Fire Closes Highway 89

Firefighters are battling a 200 acre fire that ignited early this morning within CAL Fire’s Amador-El Dorado Unit.

Several resources are arriving to help fight the Emerald Fire located off Highway 89 near Cascade Creek. Highway 89 is closed from Cascade Lake to Emerald Bay and there are some nearby evacuation orders in place. The positive news is that rain is starting to fall on the fire, however, there are also heavy winds which are creating challenges for firefighters. There are currently around 20 engines, seven crews, two dozers and two water tenders. The fire ignited at 1:28am, and what sparked it is still under investigation. There is a unified command structure between CAL Fire, the US Forest Service and Lake Valley Fire.