Caldor Fire grows in Central California, prompts evacuations

Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Local authorities ordered fresh evacuations in Central California on Tuesday as the Caldor Fire grew to more than 6,500 acres in the El Dorado National Forest region.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office issued mandatory evacuations and warnings for portions of the county south of Highway 50. The county opened shelters in Cameron Park and Diamond Springs.

As of Tuesday morning, the fire had zero containment and full containment was expected to take place by Aug. 31.

The blaze, which was sparked Sunday, threatens some 2,000 structures and it's unclear if any of have been damaged, according to an update by the national forest.

Meanwhile, the Dixie Fire in Northern California grew to more than 604,000 acres and was 31% contained as of Tuesday morning. The wildfire is the second largest in California history.

The blaze jumped Highway 395 in eastern California, forcing the road to be closed and nearby evacuations ordered, according to a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection update.

Forecasters expect 40 mph winds to complicate containment efforts. Evacuation orders were in place for parts of northern Plumas and Tehama counties.