“We are tremendously grateful to our public safety partners for so capably attacking this fire and protecting our residents” 

AUBURN, CA (MPG) - Placer County has proclaimed a local emergency due to the ongoing threat from the River Fire. 

The fire in Placer and Nevada counties has burned 2,600 acres, damaged or destroyed an estimated 108 structures and 2,400 Colfax-area residents remain under evacuation orders.

A local emergency proclamation asserts continuing risk to life and property and that the response is beyond the capabilities of local resources. Placer’s proclamation requests state and federal assistance, but a federal disaster has not yet been declared that would authorize individual disaster assistance for residents and businesses. 

“We are tremendously grateful to our public safety partners for so capably attacking this fire and protecting our residents,” said Placer County Emergency Services Director and County Executive Officer Todd Leopold. “We’re fully committed to doing everything we can to support our residents who’ve been so deeply affected by this disaster and this proclamation is a key step in making sure we’ve got access to all available resources that can help.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom has also proclaimed a state of emergency in Placer County, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded a fire management assistance grant to ensure the availability of resources to suppress the River Fire.