A wildfire near the California-Nevada border grew to more than 600 acres Wednesday evening, forcing the closure of westbound Interstate 80 and prompting evacuation orders and warnings in Nevada and Sierra counties, authorities said.
Cal Fire reported the Floriston Fire at 10:01 a.m. near Interstate 80 and Floriston Way, about 9 miles northeast of Truckee. The fire had burned 613 acres and was 5 percent contained as of 6:43 p.m.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
By late afternoon, officials split that zone into NCO-E379-A and NCO-E379-B. Zone NCO-E379-A was placed under an evacuation order, while NCO-E379-B remained under an evacuation warning.
An evacuation order means there is an immediate danger to life and property and residents must leave, Cal Fire said. An evacuation warning indicates a potential threat, and people needing more time to evacuate should leave immediately.
Evacuation warnings were also in effect Wednesday evening for Nevada County zones NCO-E105, NCO-E106 and NCO-E379-B, as well as Sierra County zones SIE-E099 and SIE-E100-B. The evacuation order was in effect for Nevada County zone NCO-E379-A.
The fire’s quick growth prompted a major response from agencies in both states. Cal Fire’s incident commander at 1:26 p.m. requested additional resources, including 20 fire engines, eight bulldozers, 10 water tenders and 12 hand crews.
At about 12:09 p.m., the fire was estimated at 297 acres, with a spot fire that had grown to about 2 acres. By 3 p.m., the fire was estimated at 300 acres and 5 percent contained.
Motorists were urged to avoid the area, use alternate routes, and expect significant delays. Officials did not estimate when the freeway would reopen.
