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Aero Fire: Evacuation orders lifted, firefighters continue mopping up smoldering hotspots

Aero Fire: Evacuation orders lifted, firefighters continue mopping up smoldering hotspots
LET’S GO TO CALAVERAS. COUNTY CREWS NOW HAVE GAINED EVEN MORE GROUND ON THE ARROW FIRE. THE FIRES BURNED 5300 ACRES. CONTAIN AT 58%. BUT ALL OF EVACUATE ORDERS HAVE NOW BEEN LIFTED, ALLOWING PEOPLE TO GO HOME. THERE ARE STILL SO
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Aero Fire: Evacuation orders lifted, firefighters continue mopping up smoldering hotspots
Evacuation orders and road closures have been lifted in Calveras County as crews are extinguishing a wildfire that injured one firefighter and destroyed some structures.Cal Fire's latest report emphasized efforts in putting out lingering hotspots and reinforcing a perimeter around the Aero Fire, which started around 3:23 p.m. on June 17 near Aero and Hunt roads in the Copperopolis area. Aero Fire conditions, acres burnt and containmentThe Aero Fire sent out a large plume of smoke into the sky when it first sparked and grew at what Cal Fire described to be a "dangerous rate of spread" amid windy conditions.As of Thursday, AlertCalifornia cameras show the large plume of smoke that once billowed out is long gone, reflecting the progress crews have made in extinguishing it.Cal Fire said on Thursday that crews are still working to put out any hotspots that could pose a risk of a flare-up. Firefighters are also continuing their mop-up efforts ahead of triple-digit weather forecast for this weekend.Cal Fire's latest report shows the fire has burned 5,351 acres as of 7 a.m. on June 20. The number of acres burnt has not changed since June 18.Officials said three structures were destroyed and one was damaged as of 7 a.m. Thursday.Around 542 structures remain threatened as of 7 a.m. Thursday. That is down from when 3,690 structures were threatened. | RELATED READ | Crews save Copperopolis property where flames came inches from homeFirefighters have also reached 52% containment around the fire's burn area. That is up from 45% from Cal Fire's last report. Containment does not measure how much of a wildfire is extinguished, but it does measure how much of a perimeter crews have established to help prevent the further spread of flames. (Video player below: Calaveras County residents react to Aero Fire) Aero Fire evacuation ordersCrews lifted the last remaining areas under evacuation on Thursday. You are lawfully required to leave immediately under an evacuation order because of the threat to safety. With evacuation warnings, you are not required to evacuate but are recommended to do so in case dangerous conditions develop.The Calaveras County Sheriff's Office said evacuation centers have been set up for both people and animals. For people: Mark Twain Elementary School Shelter - 646 Stanislaus Avenue, Angels Camp, CA 95222 Valley Springs Veterans Hall Evacuation Center - 189 Pine Street, Valley Springs, CAThese are the evacuation shelters for animals.Calaveras County Fairgrounds Livestock Evacuation Center101 Frogtown Road, Angels Camp, CAValley Springs Veterans Hall Evacuation Center189 Pine Street, Valley Springs, CAThe Red Cross is also providing assistance, the sheriff's office said. Here is where to find updates on evacuation orders and warnings.Aero Fire impactsCal Fire said on Tuesday that a firefighter was taken to the hospital after they were injured battling the wildfire. Their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. Details were not released on when the firefighter was injured and what agency they are from. Caltrans reopened Highway 4 near Copperopolis on Wednesday. The Mark Twain Union Elementary School District said there would be no summer school on Tuesday. The elementary school gym was set up as an evacuation center. A release from Cal Fire explains that the fire is burning in an area that has not seen a large fire since the early 2000s. Cal Fire said the Hunt Fire in 2004 burned near where the Aero Fire is, and the 2003 Chuckwagon Fire burned northwest of Copperopolis.A spokesperson from Cal Fire on Tuesday said crews expect to work nonstop in extinguishing the fire for at least the next 24 hours. She described the terrain as rugged to steep terrain, making access challenging for firefighters. Follow updates from Cal Fire here. | MORE | A 2024 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in CaliforniaHere are key websites that are important for all Californians during wildfire season.Cal Fire wildfire incidents: Cal Fire tracks its wildfire incidents here. You can sign up to receive text messages for Cal Fire updates on wildfires happening near your ZIP code here.Wildfires on federal land: Federal wildfire incidents are tracked here.Preparing for power outages: Ready.gov explains how to prepare for a power outage and what to do when returning from one here. Here is how to track and report PG&E power outages.Keeping informed when you've lost power and cellphone service: How to find a National Weather Service radio station near you.Be prepared for road closures: Download Caltrans' QuickMap app or check the latest QuickMap road conditions here.This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.

Evacuation orders and road closures have been lifted in Calveras County as crews are extinguishing a wildfire that injured one firefighter and destroyed some structures.

Cal Fire's latest report emphasized efforts in putting out lingering hotspots and reinforcing a perimeter around the Aero Fire, which started around 3:23 p.m. on June 17 near Aero and Hunt roads in the Copperopolis area.

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Aero Fire conditions, acres burnt and containment

The Aero Fire sent out a large plume of smoke into the sky when it first sparked and grew at what Cal Fire described to be a "dangerous rate of spread" amid windy conditions.

As of Thursday, AlertCalifornia cameras show the large plume of smoke that once billowed out is long gone, reflecting the progress crews have made in extinguishing it.

Cal Fire said on Thursday that crews are still working to put out any hotspots that could pose a risk of a flare-up. Firefighters are also continuing their mop-up efforts ahead of triple-digit weather forecast for this weekend.

Cal Fire's latest report shows the fire has burned 5,351 acres as of 7 a.m. on June 20. The number of acres burnt has not changed since June 18.

Officials said three structures were destroyed and one was damaged as of 7 a.m. Thursday.

Around 542 structures remain threatened as of 7 a.m. Thursday. That is down from when 3,690 structures were threatened.

| RELATED READ | Crews save Copperopolis property where flames came inches from home

Firefighters have also reached 52% containment around the fire's burn area. That is up from 45% from Cal Fire's last report. Containment does not measure how much of a wildfire is extinguished, but it does measure how much of a perimeter crews have established to help prevent the further spread of flames.

(Video player below: Calaveras County residents react to Aero Fire)

Aero Fire evacuation orders

Crews lifted the last remaining areas under evacuation on Thursday.

You are lawfully required to leave immediately under an evacuation order because of the threat to safety. With evacuation warnings, you are not required to evacuate but are recommended to do so in case dangerous conditions develop.

The Calaveras County Sheriff's Office said evacuation centers have been set up for both people and animals. For people:

  • Mark Twain Elementary School Shelter - 646 Stanislaus Avenue, Angels Camp, CA 95222
  • Valley Springs Veterans Hall Evacuation Center - 189 Pine Street, Valley Springs, CA

These are the evacuation shelters for animals.

  • Calaveras County Fairgrounds Livestock Evacuation Center
    101 Frogtown Road, Angels Camp, CA
  • Valley Springs Veterans Hall Evacuation Center
    189 Pine Street, Valley Springs, CA

The Red Cross is also providing assistance, the sheriff's office said.

Here is where to find updates on evacuation orders and warnings.

Aero Fire impacts

Cal Fire said on Tuesday that a firefighter was taken to the hospital after they were injured battling the wildfire. Their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. Details were not released on when the firefighter was injured and what agency they are from.

Caltrans reopened Highway 4 near Copperopolis on Wednesday.

The Mark Twain Union Elementary School District said there would be no summer school on Tuesday. The elementary school gym was set up as an evacuation center.

A release from Cal Fire explains that the fire is burning in an area that has not seen a large fire since the early 2000s. Cal Fire said the Hunt Fire in 2004 burned near where the Aero Fire is, and the 2003 Chuckwagon Fire burned northwest of Copperopolis.

A spokesperson from Cal Fire on Tuesday said crews expect to work nonstop in extinguishing the fire for at least the next 24 hours. She described the terrain as rugged to steep terrain, making access challenging for firefighters.

Follow updates from Cal Fire here.

| MORE | A 2024 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in California

Here are key websites that are important for all Californians during wildfire season.

This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.