Hwy 50 Partially Reopens After Forward Progress Of Meyers Fire Stopped

EL DORADO COUNTY (CBS13) – Evacuations orders were lifted and Highway 50 has been partially reopened in El Dorado County Thursday afternoon after forward progress of the Meyers Fire was halted, according to authorities.

Caltrans tweeted that westbound lanes and one eastbound lane of Highway 50 had reopened shortly after 3 p.m.

The El Dorado County Sheriff tweeted that all the evacuations orders and road closures north of Highway 50 were lifted just before 3 p.m.

However, Cal Fire confirmed that evacuations remained in place for the area south of Highway 50 at about 4:30 p.m. At that point the fire had grown to 12 acres and was 30 percent contained.

90 minutes later, the fire was at 12 acres and 60 percent contained, but evacuation orders remained in place for the area south of Highway 50.

CBS 13 reported that Cal Fire officials said forward progress of the fire was stopped as of about 1:30 p.m.

The fire jumped onto the north side of Highway 50, but firefighters say it only managed to burn about 50 feet onto the other side.

Caltrans says east and westbound Highway 50 is closed in the Camino area due to the fire jumping the highway. Pony Express Trail is also closed in the area due to the fire, authorities say.

Shortly before 2 p.m., CalTrans posted that the Sly Park and Sawmill on-ramps to Highway 50 were also closed due to the fire.

Evacuations are in effect for 8 Mile Road in Camino, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office says.

An evacuation center is being set up at the Diamond Springs Fire Hall, located at 3734 China Garden Road in Diamond Springs.

• Cal Fire