PLACERVILLE . INFO

A brush fire 10 miles west of Placerville that was sparked early this evening and was whipped by erratic winds, could see full containment by Tuesday morning, fire officials said.

The fire — located at Feldspar Lane on the West Slope — was 40 percent contained as of 8 p.m., said Suzanne Todd of the Camino Emergency Command Center. [Click image to enlarge]

So far the fire has charred 30 acres in an area with dense brush and oak trees. Wind gusts of up to 25 mph reportedly caused the fire to spread before there was a significant air and ground attack, Todd said. Crews, however, were able to get a good grip on the fire about the time winds had calmed, she added.

Responding to the fire are 18 engines, six crews, two dozers, one air tanker, one air attack unit, two helicopters and three water tenders.

The cause is under investigation.

The fire happened nearly 10 hours after Cal Fire Amado/El Dorado Chief Bill Holmes announced staffing changes to reflect the upcoming fire season for the region.

Beginning at 8 this morning Cal Fire transitioned into its summer preparedness levels for fire season in Amador and El Dorado counties. The declaration allows Cal Fire to begin staffing fire stations and equipment on a 24-hour basis and hire seasonal firefighters to help protect California's wildlands, Holmes said.

“Each year we see disasters that could have been prevented,” Holmes said. “Cal Fire cannot stress enough that now is the time for all California residents to take action. Create defensible space around your homes, become involved in your local Fire Safe Council, and be extra careful when recreating in our wildlands this summer.”

Visit the Cal Fire Web site at www.fire.ca.gov for more information on fire safety.