Officials recommend fire evacuations

Sheriff Edward N. Bonner releases the following:

 Officials from the U.S.Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and the Placer CountySheriff’s Department are highly recommending that residents of the Michigan Bluff and Baker Ranch areas east of Foresthill evacuate their homes.

Residents along Baker Ranch Ridge, BakerRanchMobileHomeParkand along Foresthill Roadnear Baker Ranch , and in MichiganBluff, are being urged to evacuate their homes. The Ralston Fire east of Foresthill is moving more rapidly than expected and could quickly reach the area if it continues moving at its current pace.

An evacuationcenterhas been opened at the Foresthill Memorial Hall. Those that need physical assistance in evacuating, such as the elderly or those with mobility issues may call the Sheriff’s DepartmentDispatchCenterat 530-886-5375 to request assistance. ResidentswhohaveanimalscancontactPlacerCountyAnimal Services at 530-886-5525 to arrange for transportation if needed. Animal owners may also bring their animals to the shelter at 11251 B Avenue, Auburn.

Additional information from the Placer CountyOficeof Emergency Services:

The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Foresthill.

Public information lines for the fire are as follows:    530-367-6550, 530-367-6551 and 530-367-6552.

You can also obtain information about the fire on the following web site:                          WWW.INCIWEB.ORG