El Dorado County wildfire burns near Somerset, evacuation orders lifted

Evacuation orders were lifted for a wildfire near Somerset in El Dorado County on Tuesday, officials said.

The Happy Fire is burning in the area of Mt. Aukum Road and Happy Valley Cutoff Road, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's (Cal Fire) Amador-El Dorado Unit. Firefighters say there were a total of three spot fires they're battling in the area.

Cal Fire said the fire was estimated at about 10 acres, but crews have stopped the forward progress of the flames. Fire officials also noted that a vehicle's catalytic converter caused the fire.

"It got so hot and failed and was spitting out pieces of that catalytic converter that were superheated, and because that superheated piece of car came out, it started multiple fires along Mt. Aukum Road," said Nick Pimlott, a battalion chief with Cal Fire's Amador-El Dorado Unit.

Pimlott said it's an example of how quickly a fire like this can originate and develop.

"It can be something small, but something small can turn into something big really fast," he said.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said evacuation orders had been in place near Oak Leaf Circle and along Mt. Aukum Road between Somerset Loop and Happy Valley Cutoff Road. All orders have since been downgraded to warnings, meaning evacuees can return home. The area is in the Pleasant Valley Perimeter Zone.

People in the area are advised to remain ready to leave again if conditions worsen.

Mt. Aukum Road was closed to outside traffic between Pleasant Valley and Happy Valley roads.

Drivers are being asked to use caution because of electrical hazards and emergency responders in the area.