Fire at a glance (numbers)
- Incident Name: Bridge, Auburn
- State: CA
- Lead Agency: NEU
- Size (acres): 411
- Percent Contained: 100%
- Estimate of Containment: September 14, 2021
- Personnel: 9
- Structures Destroyed: 0
Bridge, Foresthill Road in Auburn, Placer County. The fire is on the Foresthill side of the bridge. Minimal fire behavior, area closures in effect.
September 14, 2021 at 6:28 PM
The fire is now fully contained.
September 13, 2021 at 8:21 PM
Minimal smoldering today. Firefighters found less than 10 smokes throughout the fire area. Fire is entering patrol status. Suppression repair is complete. We anticipate full containment tomorrow at 1800 hrs.
September 12, 2021 at 8:38 PM
Fire is sufficiently staffed and in place to meet completion date. Minimal smokes are being found, any smokes are related to suppression repair opening berms and disturbing stump holes.
September 12, 2021 at 1:01 PM
Estimated full containment date is now September 14, 2021
September 11, 2021 at 6:32 PM
Fire is sufficiently staffed and in place to meet completion date. Mop up has penetrated 600 feet from fire edge. Some smokes are still being found. Suppression repair continues, minimal smokes are being found, usually related to suppression repair opening berms and disturbing stump holes.
Firefighters significantly increased containment during today’s operational period to 90%. This was accomplished through direct line construction by hand crews and heavy machinery.
September 10, 2021 at 7:27 PM
Precipitation overnight aided firefighters to significantly increase containment during today’s operational period to 80%. This was accomplished through direct line construction by hand crews and heavy machinery. Mopup of remaining hot spots also occurred in all parts of the fire and remains a priority as hot and dry weather will return to the region, and the fire area, for several days.
The evacuation orders and evacuation warnings have been lifted in all areas of the fire. However, the Auburn State Recreation Area remains closed in some areas including: Mammoth Bar OHV Area, including all trails, Old Foresthill Road, Lower Lake Clementine, Culvert Trail, Lake Clementine Trail, Connector Trail from Doc Gordon’s to Lower Lake Clementine Road, Fuel Break Trail, Confluence Trail, all other areas that had been closed due to the Bridge Fire have been reopened.
September 9, 2021 at 7:24 PM
Continued hot and dry weather will persist in the region, and the fire area, for several days. A Red Flag warning is in effect for dry lightning tonight through the weekend.
The Auburn State Recreation Area remains closed until further notice.
September 8, 2021 at 7:23 PM
CAL FIRE update: With the fire exhibiting minimal activity, and only inside the current fire perimeter, fire personnel were able to significantly increase containment during today’s operational period to 65%. This was accomplished through direct line construction by hand crews and heavy machinery.
Mop up of remaining hot spots also occurred in all parts of the fire and remains a priority as continued hot and dry weather will persist in the region, and the fire area, for several days.
September 7, 2021 at 7:34 PM
With the fire exhibiting minimal activity, and only inside the current fire perimeter, fire personnel were able to significantly increase containment during today’s operational period to 50%. This was accomplished through direct line construction by hand crews and heavy equipment. Mopup of remaining hot spots also occurred in all parts of the fire and remains a priority as continued hot and dry weather will persist in the region, and the fire area, for several days.
September 7, 2021 at 6:31 PM
Minimal fire behavior as interior pockets continue to consume.
September 7, 2021 at 7:01 AM
The fire exhibited minimal activity during the overnight operational period. Areas where heat was observed were on islands that were isolated to the interior of the burn perimeter. Fire personnel focused their efforts on mopup of the fire, including these interior islands of heat.
Firefighters will continue to actively patrol and mopup the fire, while working to improve containment lines. A heat advisory has been issued in the Sacramento Valley due to high temperatures through Thursday evening.
Combined with low humidities full mopup and containment of the fire is a priority.
The evacuation orders and evacuation warnings have been lifted in all areas of the fire. However, the Auburn State Recreation Area remains closed.
Additionally, while Foresthill Road has reopened a temporary speed limit of 25 mph is in place to maintain safety of firefighters and other personnel working in the area and stoping, parking, or loitering is not permissible. Old Foresthill Road remained closed from Highway 49 to Foresthill Road.
September 6, 2021 at 6:52 PM
A few hot spots remained visible on the Bridge Fire today, but were located well within the interior of the current fire perimeter. Firefighters efforts focused on mopup of these hot spots on all portions of the fire. Additionally, fire personnel worked to improve and build containment lines, resulting in the increased containment.
The evacuation orders and evacuation warnings have been lifted in all areas of the fire. However, the Auburn State Recreation Area remains closed.
Foresthill Road has also reopened, and to ensure safety of fire personnel, a temporary speed limit of 25 mph from Lincoln Way to Upper Lake Clementine is in place. Stopping, parking, or loitering is not permissible on Foresthill Road. Old Foresthill Road from Highway 49 to Foresthill Road remains closed
September 6, 2021 at 5:30 PM
Changes to Evacuation Orders and Warnings
The evacuation orders and warnings in the following areas have been lifted in the areas surrounding the Bridge Fire in Placer County:
• Lake Clementine Zone
• Applegate Zone
• Clipper Gate Zone.
The previously announced closure of the Auburn State Recreation Area remains until further notice.
Changes to Road Closures
The following changes to the closure of Foresthill Road from Lincoln Way to Upper Lake Clementine is now in place to maintain the safety of the fire crews still working in the area:
• A 25 mph speed limit is in place on Foresthill Road in this area
• No stopping, loitering, or parking on Foresthill Road is permissible
Old Foresthill Road remains closed from Highway 49 to Foresthill Road as it is being used for fire crews and emergency vehicles still working in the area.
Please adhere to this updated information for the safety of firefighters and other emergency services personnel who continue to work on the Bridge Fire.
September 6, 2021 at 4:22 PM
Acreage and containment update posted.
September 6, 2021 at 1:30 PM
Forward progress has been stopped.
September 6, 2021 at 11:43 AM
Air Attack is returning to Grass Valley Air Attack Base, helicopters continue to work the existing hotspots.
September 6, 2021 at 11:36 AM
Air Attack 230 and the helicopters are assisting ground resources today. Tankers are available if needed, however the fire activity is minimal.
September 6, 2021 at 8:40 AM
Overnight, crews conducted firing operations around the fire to improve line construction. Today, personnel will continue to construct direct line where needed and monitor for spot fires across existing line, specifically in the American River Canyon drainage. Additionally, a priority is mop up of the fire close to the exsisting line to remove unburnt fuel between the fire and the line.
Residents of the Foresthill community will be escorted by law enforcement on Foresthill Road subject to fire conditions, which could lead to the closure of Foresthill Road.
The following area is under a mandatory evacuation order:
Lake Clementine Zone
• Confluence area off Foresthill Road
• Old Auburn Foresthill Road to Upper Lake Road to Lake Clementine
The mandatory evacuation order zones are shown in red at this link: https://pcsogis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=34e61722 13b540c8b8b064d8a7da4f76
The following areas are under an evacuation warning, and anyone who needs extra time to evacuate should leave the area now: Clipper Gate Zone
• Clipper Gap area south of Interstate 80 Applegate Zone
• Applegate area south of Interstate 80
Road closures
- Foresthill Road at Lincoln Way
- Old Foresthill Road at Highway 49
- Foresthill Road at Lake Clementine
- Foresthill Road at Upper Lake Clementine
September 6, 2021 at 8:28 AM
Thirty people remain evacuated. 305 firefighters assigned. Threats to recreational facilities and infrastructure, county road infrastructure, threats to watershed and wildlife habitat remain. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.
September 6, 2021 at 7:18 AM
Fire activity is minimal, firefighters will continue to strengthen containment lines.
September 6, 2021 at 7:01 AM
Evacuation Warnings remain in effect. Threat to recreational facilities and infrastructure, wildlife habitat and watershed. Road closures are in effect.
September 6, 2021 at 6:30 AM
The fire was mapped at 319 acres. That includes last night’s successful firing operation along Old Foresthill Road.
September 5, 2021 at 9:51 PM
September 5, 2021 at 9:30 PM
The planned firing operation is underway. If you are watching the fire from one of the cameras or are in the area, you will see an increase in flame activity. This is part of a planned and prepped firing operation along Old Foresthill Road.
September 5, 2021 at 9:06 PM
Per State Parks: Auburn State Recreation Area is temporarily closed due to the Bridge Fire. Closure includes the areas of Lake Clementine (Upper/Lower), Ruckachucky/ Drivers Flat Road, Mammoth Bar, China Bar, Cherokee Bar, Ponderosa Road and Confluence. Please avoid the area.
September 5, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Road closures remain in effect. Air Attack 230 is leaving the incident, all aircraft is off the fire. Ground resources will continue to work throughout the night.
September 5, 2021 at 7:37 PM
Air Attack is releasing the National Guard helicopters back to Mather.
September 5, 2021 at 7:20 PM
Air Attack 230 using the remaining National Guard helicopter to work a flare up. Firing operation along Old Foresthill Road and on the right flank is moving forward, according to the IC.
September 5, 2021 at 6:56 PM
AA 230 is releasing all the tankers back to their bases.
September 5, 2021 at 6:55 PM
Placer County Sheriff has issued new warnings and orders. Map here.
September 5, 2021 at 6:45 PM
Placer County Sheriff is escorting cars out of Lower Lake Clementine.
September 5, 2021 at 6:36 PM
The canyon alignment makes it difficult for the tankers to see drop zones. Tanker 15 is going back to McClellan on a load and hold for now.
September 5, 2021 at 6:33 PM
Aircraft have less than one hour of daytime left. AA 230, Tankers 88 and 89 might be able to go a little longer because they are extremely familiar with the area.
September 5, 2021 at 6:18 PM
Air Attack is releasing the lead plane back to McClellan. Just to reiterate, at this time neither Todd Valley nor Foresthill are threatened in any way.
September 5, 2021 at 6:12 PM
Left flank of the fire has retardant all the way around it.
September 5, 2021 at 6:03 PM
Tankers are on hold for now, sun is hampering their operations/visibility. Photo below was taken earlier on.
September 5, 2021 at 5:59 PM
Air Attack reports good progress on the dozer lines, they are about three quarters of the way up on the left flank. Fire is estimated at 250 – 300 acres.
September 5, 2021 at 5:57 PM
Three National Guard helicopters are on the way from the Caldor air base in Placerville to the incident. One additional helicopter is 15-20 minutes out.
September 5, 2021 at 5:46 PM
Air Attack is reporting a flareup on Division Mike (right flank) on Old Foresthill Road. Engine strike team is on the way down to the flareup.
September 5, 2021 at 5:42 PM
Firefighters are pretreating areas ahead of the planned firing operation later today.
September 5, 2021 at 5:35 PM
Old Foresthill Road, ground resources have problems with rollouts (trees, rocks and debris rolling down the hillside – on fire) Requesting additional engines.
September 5, 2021 at 5:28 PM
Code 2 ambulance requested for a firefighter with possible heat exhaustion. Air Attack 230 is back on the fire.
September 5, 2021 at 5:24 PM
Firing operation is being planned, helicopters continue to work the right flank of the fire.
September 5, 2021 at 5:13 PM
Bridge IC relaying for Air Attack and requesting four Type 1 helicopters from the Placerville Airport.
September 5, 2021 at 5:11 PM
Two relief helicopters requested to replace the ones timing out. Fire is looking better, activity has diminished. Air Attack will put the VLATs on hold.
September 5, 2021 at 5:06 PM
Helicopters will go direct on the torching trees. There is a spot fire at the bottom of the drainage. Left shoulder of the slopover shows quite some activity. Total fire estimated at 150 acres now by AA.
September 5, 2021 at 5:03 PM
Boaters that were sheltering on Lake Clementine are being evacuated now.
September 5, 2021 at 4:48 PM
Lots of cars pulling stopping on Hwy 49 near Lincoln Way and Bowman Road to watch the fire. CHP will clear the looky-loos from the highway.
September 5, 2021 at 4:42 PM
All tankers are on a load and return. Cutoff time for today is 7:10 pm.
September 5, 2021 at 4:33 PM
September 5, 2021 at 4:28 PM
Evacuation WARNING in the following area, per Placer County Sheriff:
- Applegate Road on the north
- Boole Road to the river on the east
- The North Fork of the American River on the south
- Bell Road at Musso Road on the west
September 5, 2021 at 4:19 PM
Fire continues to bump Foresthill Road, also spreading towards Old Auburn Foresthill Road – it is burning in an easterly direction.
September 5, 2021 at 4:09 PM
September 5, 2021 at 4:07 PM
This fire is mostly and airshow due to the very steep terrain and poor access for ground resources who are working the spot fires on both sides of Foresthill Road. Relief Air Attack requested for 5:30 pm.
September 5, 2021 at 3:57 PM
ICP is being moved to the NEU headquarters in Auburn.
September 5, 2021 at 3:54 PM
Metro Fire and other regional agencies have deployed a strike team of 5 fully staffed wildland firefighting engines plus a strike team leader to the fire.
September 5, 2021 at 3:49 PM
Air Attack has tankers drop ahead of the spot fire, ground resources are working on the main fire. Estimates the fire to be 100 acres, 50 on each side of Foresthill Road.
September 5, 2021 at 3:46 PM
Hwy 49 at the confluence remains open. Old Foresthill Road is being shut down.
September 5, 2021 at 3:29 PM
IC is requesting 12 crews and 12 dozers. The fire is making a run to the east towards Lake Clementine Road.
September 5, 2021 at 3:26 PM
Fire behavior is very active and transitioning to heavier fuels now, hence the difference in smoke color. Spot fire across Foresthill Road is 20-30 acres. No eyes on the main fire due to smoke.
September 5, 2021 at 3:12 PM
Boaters on Lower Lake Clementine will shelter in place. Fire behavior is very active and transitioning to heavier fuels now.
September 5, 2021 at 3:12 PM
Per PCSO: Foresthill Road is closed at Old Foresthill. However, Old Foresthill Road remains open. No homes are threatened at this time.
September 5, 2021 at 3:09 PM
Ground resources are reevaluating the strategy due to extreme spotting and very active fire behavior. Air Attack requesting a total of 3 VLATs now. The fire has crested the ridgetop
September 5, 2021 at 3:02 PM
Tanker 911 and lead plane C5 are inbound from McClellan. Air Attack will also take Tanker 15 if they are back in service.
September 5, 2021 at 2:58 PM
Spot across Foresthill Road is 15-20 acres, spot fire on the south side is 2-3 acres. Fire is staying on top of the ridge for now. There is a fuelbreak on the top before it drops back into the North Fork of the American River. The main fire is holding at about 20 acres.
September 5, 2021 at 2:53 PM
All of Upper and Lower Lake Clementine is under mandatory evacuation. Working on getting the boats out. Tanker 102 is inbound from McClellan.
September 5, 2021 at 2:50 PM
One additional spot, this time on the south side of the road. The large spot has burned through the retardant lines.
September 5, 2021 at 2:45 PM
A group of mountain bikers still in the fire Lower Lake Clementine area, instead of leaving. CHP Helicopter can’t access the area.
September 5, 2021 at 2:37 PM
Helicopters will be working the slopover once the tanker has dropped retardant on the spot across the roadway. Spot is about 10 acres now.
September 5, 2021 at 2:33 PM
People are stopping to take pictures and create a traffic jam instead of evacuating. Move along.
September 5, 2021 at 2:27 PM
Spot on the north side of Foresthill Road is about 1-2 acres in grass and oak woodland. IC is requesting 5 additional dozers and 6 hand crews.
September 5, 2021 at 2:23 PM
Fire is bumping the roadway, Bridge IC confirms one additional Type 1 tanker to replace T15. There are still cars that need to evacuate the area.
September 5, 2021 at 2:20 PM
Fire is spotting because winds have picked up. One spot on the north side of Foresthill Road detected.
September 5, 2021 at 2:17 PM
Bridge IC concurs with Air Attack. Retardant lines are holding, extreme potential for spotting.
September 5, 2021 at 2:15 PM
Copters are doing really good work per Air Attack. Retardant lines are holding. Hose lay on the Foresthill Road side is progressing. Air Attack estimates 15-20 acres now.
September 5, 2021 at 2:13 PM
40-50 cars need to leave the Lake Clementine area now.
September 5, 2021 at 2:11 PM
Tanker 15 is now out of service at McClellan. Grass Valley ECC is inquiring if Air Attack wants a replacement tanker.
September 5, 2021 at 2:06 PM
State Parks just opened Old Forest Hill Rd and Lower Lake Clementine to evacuate the campers.
September 5, 2021 at 2:01 PM
Air Attack estimates the fire at 20-25 acres. The fire’s left flank is Division Charlie, right flank is Division Mike. Air Attack 500 is the relief air attack for 230 who will return to Grass Valley for fuel.
September 5, 2021 at 1:58 PM
Still a lot of heat at the head of the fire, tankers continue their drops while helicopters are working spots. Engines and crew ground resources are cutting line.
September 5, 2021 at 1:56 PM
Law enforcement will open one side of the Foresthill bridge to eastbound traffic to let recreationists leave towards Auburn.
September 5, 2021 at 1:52 PM
CHP Helicopter H20 to fly over Lake Clementine and give evacuation order to any recreationists in the area.
September 5, 2021 at 1:48 PM
Law enforcement clearing campers and other recreationists out of the area. No structures threatened at this time.
September 5, 2021 at 1:39 PM
Tankers are drawing a wider box to deal with spot fires and slow the progression of the fire.
September 5, 2021 at 1:35 PM
Hazard for the helicopters include power lines near the top of Lake Clementine dam.
September 5, 2021 at 1:34 PM
All incoming units to inbrief at the State Parks location. Tanker drop have slowed the progress of the fire.
September 5, 2021 at 1:30 PM
Tankers 15 and 102 are inbound from McClellan to the fire.
September 5, 2021 at 1:24 PM
Bridge Air Attack has requested three helicopters to work this fire. Tanker drops are proceeding. Three additional water tenders requested by the IC.
September 5, 2021 at 1:21 PM
Structure protection engines are in the augmented dispatch, just in case.
September 5, 2021 at 1:18 PM
Foresthill bridge is shut down to traffic, PCSO and APD at scene.
September 5, 2021 at 1:13 PM
Air Attack estimates the fire at 2-3 acres, burning in heavy brush and timber.
September 5, 2021 at 1:09 PM
Fire has jumped the fire road and is burning uphill at a moderate rate of spread.
September 5, 2021 at 1:05 PM
Bridge Air Attack and tanker state not a good spot for a retardant drop. Fire is about 1/4 to 1/2 acre on the Foresthill side of the canyon. Two additional helicopters requested.
September 5, 2021 at 1:03 PM
The Bridge fire is in between two fire roads in very steep terrain, ground resources arriving at scene now.
September 5, 2021 at 12:59 PM
State parks is at scene of the fire, one helicopter and Air Attack to continue in with all ground resources.
September 5, 2021 at 12:57 PM
Additional report by Tanker 88 states it a small spot on the south side of the river.
September 5, 2021 at 12:57 PM
Units in the area report seeing smoke, possibly near the confluence. No precise location yet.
September 5, 2021 at 12:53 PM
Reported vegetation fire on the Auburn side under the bridge on Foresthill Road, full wildland dispatch on order.