Sand Fire 65% contained
A USFS fire truck leaves the El Dorado County Fairgrounds on July 27 headed back to the fire. Photo/LTN
The Sand Fire burning in El Dorado and Amador counties is 65 percent contained.
Since starting July 24 it has scorched 3,800 acres, and leveled 13 houses and 38 outbuildings.
Evacuations are still in place for hundreds of people. Ponderosa High School in Shingle Spring is the evacuation center.
The fire started when a vehicle drove over dry vegetation.
On the fifth day of the fire, El Dorado County set up a hotline will be available from 7am–7pm, Monday–Friday — 530.642.7263 or email sandfire.edcservices@gmail.com.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
On my way back home to Tahoe last week, I followed a car that threw a cigarette out the window as it turned off the highway near El Dorado Hills. It happened too fast for me to get her license number. I cannot believe that anyone could or would be so incredibly irresponsible. Smoking is bad enough, but burning down a state? Please be careful out there folks and thanks for your work firefighters!