Fast-growing California wildfire forces evacuations

A fast-growing wildfire in Yolo County, California, grew to 1700 acres with no containment Saturday evening, forcing residents near two communities to flee under mandatory evacuation orders as hot, dry, windy weather elevated fire risk 90 miles north of San Francisco.

According to The Press Democrat, the Sand fire was reported a little before 3 p.m. but grew to 125 acres by 5 p.m. A Cal Fire spokesman said the fire had tripled in size two hours later, pushed southwest by strong winds and fueled by brush and grassy-terrain in the area. At 8:30 p.m., Cal Fire reported it had grown to 1,700 acres.

The evacuation orders affect all residents off of County Road 41, which runs along the eastern outskirts of Guinda and Rumsey, about 60 miles northwest of Sacramento. An unknown number of structures were threatened. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

The newspaper reported 38 engines were fighting the fire, as well as four helicopters and five bulldozers. Air tankers were dropping retardant, assisting ground crews and water tenders, Cal Fire said.

An evacuation center has been opened. There have been no reports of injuries.