Northern California Flat Fire prompts evacuation warning as it burns near Alta, Dutch Flat

A wildfire burning in the Sierra foothills near Alta and Dutch Flat grew to an estimated 12 acres Saturday afternoon and prompted an evacuation warning in neighboring Nevada County.

The Flat Fire was reported near Lowell Hill Road and Dutch Flat Powerhouse Road in Placer County. Cal Fire described the blaze as having a dangerous rate of spread as of 3:21 p.m.

Across the county line, the Nevada County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation warning for Zone NCO-E220 in the Lowell Hill area. Residents who may need additional time to leave are being urged to consider evacuating now.

The fire is burning in a rural, heavily wooded area north of Interstate 80 near the Bear River and the Dutch Flat Powerhouse, about 30 miles northeast of Auburn.

No mandatory evacuation orders have been announced.

This is a developing story.