Colfax area residents remain under evacuation today as our public safety partners continue to respond to the River Fire. The blaze broke out yesterday at around 2 p.m. at Milk Ranch Road and Bear River Campground Road in Colfax and has since consumed more than 2600 acres, destroying approximately 76 structures and damaging 20 others. An additional 3400 homes are threatened but CAL FIRE is now reporting 15% containment. Firefighters took advantage of the cooler temperatures today and made good progress building containment lines around the fire. A total of 858 firefighters are battling the blaze with 90 engines, 28 water tenders, 20 dozers and 24 hand crews. Numerous firefighting aircraft from throughout the state are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow. For the latest information on fire conditions, evacuations, shelter locations and how you can help, visit our River Fire web page. The following video shares the difficult conditions firefighters have been contending with over the past 24 hours. Watch video

We understand how important it is to have quick access to information when an emergency is underway. Our Placer County River Fire webpage provides key information about the fire, and residents may also dial 2-1-1 for general information. Please reserve 9-1-1 for active emergencies only! Our 2-1-1 call specialists are standing by to help you with your River Fire questions. 2-1-1 is a new service offered by Placer County to connect residents with vital resources and provide non-emergency disaster information. Learn more

Space is limited at the Placer County Animal Shelter. If possible, evacuees are encouraged to seek boarding, hotel or other options. If additional support is needed, small or large animals can be taken to the shelter at: 11232 B Avenue Auburn, CA 95603. Hours will be extended for the duration of the fire event or until the shelter is advised assistance is no longer needed. Here’s a highlight of some of the work Placer County Animal Services is doing to support animals impacted by the River Fire evacuations. Watch video

Wanting to help during the River Fire? The American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to help our friends and neighbors in need of assistance. Donations are also being accepted by the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. Learn more about American Red Cross volunteer opportunities, here. Learn more about donating to the American Red Cross, here. Thank you so much for your time and generosity.

Alert Wildfire is a website that airs real-time coverage from installed 24-7 cameras on existing regional towers. This resource can provide you with in-the-moment and time-lapse imagery related to the River Fire. Learn more

Placer County Public Health and Placer County Air Pollution Control District have issued an air quality advisory in part due to the potential for wildfire smoke impacts from the River Fire in Nevada and Placer counties. Additionally, the public should be prepared for a strong potential for poor air quality conditions through Sunday, August 8, from smoke from wildfires elsewhere in northern California. This air quality advisory is issued based on the National Weather Service, Sacramento forecast of a wind shift to northerly winds that would bring smoke into our area. Learn more

The Placer County Elections Office still needs poll workers in North Lake Tahoe for the upcoming Sept. 14 California gubernatorial recall election. Poll workers who are bilingual in Spanish are in special need, too. A training class for election poll workers will be held in North Lake Tahoe on Sept. 9. Learn more