Update: Sand Fire now 90% contained, 4,240 acres burned

7/30/14 update: Firefighters are getting the upper hand on a wildfire north of the town of Plymouth. All evacuation orders have been lifted.

So far, 4,240 acres have burned as well as 19 homes and 47 outbuildings. The fire did not spread overnight. The increase in reported acreage burned is due to a precise GPS mapping.

According to Cal Fire, patrol and mop-up of the fire will continue for several days. Rugged terrain and hot, dry weather conditions in addition to hazards associated with mines within the fire area continue to be a challenge for firefighters.

7/29/14 8:00 a.m. update: Fire crews and resources are starting to move out of the Sand Fire area now that the fire is 80% contained. So far, the total acreage burned remains at 3,800 acres. Remaining crews continue to strengthen established containment lines and extend mop-up further into the burned area. Rugged terrain and hot, dry weather conditions remain a challenge. Some pocket areas remain under evacuation orders. The fire burned 13 homes and 38 outbuildings.

7/28/14 4:15 p.m. update: The Sand Fire is still listed at 65% contained and it has consumed 3,800 acres. Some evacuations have ended, but those people living on Flat Creek Rd, Brinkwood Rd, Painted Pony Rd, Higgins Rd and Twin Rivers Rd and all connecting roads may still not return. Almost 2,000 fire personnel are assigned to this fire along with 196 engines, 51 fire crews, 4 helicopters, 30 dozers and 52 water tenders. Officials still expect to have the fire fully contained by Friday.

No more structures have burned since the count was updated this morning.

7/28/14 10 a.m. update: Firefighters are gaining control on a wildfire near the town of Plymouth that has consumed 3,800 acres, burned 13 homes and 38 outbuildings. "Fire crews increased containment overnight and will continue to improve and hold the established control lines throughout the day," according to CalFire. The steep, dry terrain continues to be a challenge but the recent gains in containment has moved the projected control date to August 1st.

Some evacuated residents are being allowed back into their homes. Those being allowed back live in the Outingdale Community and have homes east of Mt. Aukum Rd. New evacuations have been issued for Vintage Road to Sandridge Road, Buzzards Gulch Road and all of Buzzards Gulch Road, Riverpine Estates and Vintage Road to Morning Canyon Road

7/27/14 8:40 p.m. update: The Sand Fire near the towns of Plymouth and Somerset is now 50% contained. The updated acreage count supplied by CalFire puts the burned amount at 3,800 acres.

51 crews made up of 1,905 fire personnel are fighting the fire which has destroyed 10 residences and 7 outbuildings.

Original Story:

A fire that started Friday afternoon in Amador County has spread to 1,300 acres as of 10:30 p.m.

Three buildings have been destroyed so far and 250 structures are threatened. Sand Ridge Road is closed and homes in the Sand Ridge Road, Fresh Water, Burlwood, Morales Ranch Road, Vintage Trail, Upton Road, Twin Rivers Road areas are under evacuation orders.

500 personnel are on the scene at the fire which is burning 5 miles north of Plymouth.

An evacuation center has been set up at the El Dorado County fairgrounds in Placerville.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Temperatures in the area were near the 100 degree mark today.