Firefighters are currently battling the Royal Fire in Tahoe National Forest, a quickly growing blaze that began around 4 pm on Sunday, July 7th. The latest estimates from Cal Fire show the flames reaching 168.9 acres, up from yesterday evening’s 54 acres, with the smoke plumes reportedly visible from the nearby I-80 freeway and Truckee.
This morning at 6:30am, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office reported that a group of 13 young hikers between 16-20 years old was believed to be missing in the fire zone. Within an hour they posted an update that the hikers were located, and search-and-rescue crews are being “inserted to hike out with them.”
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office has issued a public safety map with an evacuation zone in the Royal Gorge area, including The Cedars community. Soda Springs Road has been closed from about 1.25 miles south of Serene Road to the intersection with Forest Service Road 6001-35. The evacuation zone includes five homes on rural Soda Springs Road, and recreation areas are being evacuated.
Several sources state that the vegetation fire reportedly started from “an escaped campfire,” but the Tahoe National Forest and Cal Fire last listed the cause as “under investigation.” The fire is spreading quickly due to the difficult terrain.
How can you prepare for a wildfire in California?
Cal Fire has ample resources where you can learn about wildfire preparedness. Here’s a summary of some actions they recommend, but you can read the complete list here.
- Create a Wildfire Action Plan: Decide on a meeting point, escape routes, arrangements for pets, and a plan in case of loss of communication. Consider medical prescriptions, phone numbers and important documents, and credit cards and cash.
- Assemble a “Go Bag”: Prepare a 3-day supply of non-perishable food, three gallons of water per person, a map, eyeglasses/contact lenses, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and more.
- Fill out a Family Communication Plan: Review Cal Fire’s materials detailing how to communicate with your family about fire safety, including young children.
- Sign up for text alerts: Cal Fire can send you real-time updates about wildfires in your area with information about your community’s emergency response plan.