
Grass fire shuts down eastbound Highway 50 in Placerville
PLACERVILLE — Eastbound Highway 50 in Placerville has been shut down late Tuesday afternoon due to a grass fire.
California Highway Patrol's Placerville division said the highway closure shouldn't be lifted soon, as firefighters were making great progress on what is being called the Point Fire.
The closure was at Schnell School Road. Westbound Highway 50 was not impacted.
The Point Fire originated as multiple small brush fires along the side of the highway.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Extreme heat safety tips as dangerous temperatures head to East Coast
Life-threatening heat is enveloping the eastern U.S., with some cities bracing for what could be their highest temperatures in over a decade. On Monday, the heat index -- what the temperature feels like with humidity -- is expected to skyrocket to 98 degrees in New York City; 107 degrees in Philadelphia; 109 degrees in Richmond, Virginia; and 106 in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Charleston, West Virginia. Temperatures are forecast to be slightly higher on Tuesday. Doctors recommend taking excessive heat warnings seriously. Over 700 people die from heat-related illnesses every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and extreme heat is considered the deadliest weather-related hazard in the U.S., according to the Fifth National Climate Assessment. A heat wave is a continuous period of abnormally hot weather, generally lasting over two days, according to the National Weather Service. However, the definition of a heat wave varies by region. MORE: How to conserve energy during a heat wave In the Midwest and the Northeast, a heat wave is considered three or more days in a row of temperatures of at least 90 degrees. But in Phoenix, for example, temperatures are regularly well above 90 degrees and into the triple digits without it being from a heat wave. So a heat wave is relative to the local average temperature and may require temperatures to be significantly above normal for several days, according to the NWS. Here are tips to stay safe from the heat from the CDC: Take precautions to prevent sunburn, which can make you dehydrated and affect your ability to cool down. Use sunscreen that's SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outside. Sunscreens that say "broad spectrum" or "UVA/UVB protection" are best. Drink extra fluids, and don't wait until you're thirsty. Avoid very sugary drinks and alcohol, which can cause your body to lose more fluid, and be wary of extra-cold drinks that may cause stomach cramps. Avoiding hot and heavy meals also can reduce your body's overall temperature. Cut down on exercise during heat waves and rest often and in shady areas. Try to limit your time outside to when it is cooler, like in the early morning and evening. Never leave children in a parked car -- even if windows are cracked open. MORE: Hot car safety tips Anyone can suffer from heat-related illness at any time, but these people are at greater risk: -- Babies and young children -- Overweight people -- Those 65 years old or older -- People who overexert during work or exercise -- Those who suffer from heart disease or high blood pressure and those who take certain medications, including for depression, insomnia or poor circulation Symptoms of heat stroke include: -- Body temperature of 103 degrees or higher -- Hot, red, dry or damp skin -- Fast, strong pulse -- Headache -- Dizziness -- Nausea -- Confusion -- Passing out -- No longer sweating Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: -- Heavy sweating -- Cold, pale, clammy skin -- Fast, weak pulse -- Nausea or vomiting -- Muscle cramps -- Feeling tired or weak -- Headache -- Passing out If someone shows symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, call 911, move them somewhere cooler and use towels to cool down their body. Don't forget about your furry friends! Here are some tips from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for how to keep your pets safe in the heat: provide plenty of fresh water so they don't get dehydrated; don't over-exercise pets; never leave pets alone in a parked car; and watch for symptoms of overheating, which include excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate and drooling. Animals with flat faces, like pugs, can't pant as well and are more at risk of heat stroke. These pets, as well as older and overweight pets, should be kept inside as much as possible. ABC News' Kyle Reiman contributed to this report.


CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Dangerous heat wave impacting Maryland through Wednesday
The extreme heat is here. After both weekend days reaching 90° or higher in Baltimore, we're now about to experience the worst of this upcoming heat wave. Please take heat precautions seriously as the heat will be dangerous even to healthy individuals. WJZ Alert Days in place across Maryland for extreme heat The combination of near triple digit heat and elevated humidity levels have prompted the WJZ First Alert Weather team to issue Alert Days now through Wednesday of this week. High temperatures will peak in the lower 100s Monday and Tuesday. New record highs are possible Monday and Tuesday BWI. Wednesday will also feature dangerous heat, but high temperatures should fall just shy of 100°. Isolated strong thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon, but a much better chance of storms returns Thursday. Feels like temperatures Monday through Wednesday will be the worst between 105° and 110°. Heat is the number one weather-related cause of death in the United States. Please take the Alert Days seriously, especially if you will be outdoors in the next couple of days. With hotter temperatures on the way, additional heat alerts will be active across much of Maryland: A heat advisory is in effect for for much of the Eastern Shore now through 8 pm Tuesday evening. An extreme heat warning for central Maryland is in effect through 9 pm tonight. Feels like temperatures could approach 110° for these areas. Regardless of whether or not your neighborhood is in an alert, the entire area will be extremely hot and humid. A few ways to stay safe and healthy while working outside during extreme heat - Wear loose fitting, light colored clothing Avoid being in the direct rays of the sun Take frequent breaks if you plan to be outdoors Drink lots of water, even if you don't feel thirsty. Two liters of water a day is recommended Remember pets and the elderly in the heat Make sure ceiling fans are circulating counterclockwise to circulate cooler air downward In preparation for the unusually hot weather, Baltimore City's Health Department is declaring its first 'Code Red Extreme' Heat Alert. The alert begins Sunday and runs through the middle of the week. A list of available cooling centers is listed on the city's website. Late week storms will help cool us off A cold front will sag south late this week into next weekend bringing us some relief from the dangerous heat. Thursday's high temperatures will still reach the lower to middle 90s with tropical levels of humidity. This will allow the feels like temperature to reach 100°. Scattered heavy to strong thunderstorms will be possible Thursday afternoon and evening bringing some relief from the heat. This same cold front will drape across our area Friday and Saturday. Additional clouds, showers and thunderstorms should allow temperatures to stay in the upper 80s to around 90° Friday and Saturday. Humidity levels will be high, but the temperatures will not be as extreme.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Greece wildfires rage for second day
Greece will send more than 170 more firefighters to reinforce teams battling wildfires on the Greek island of Chios for a second day, as winds further whipped up the blaze, bringing power cuts and spurring the evacuation of residents. "The situation remains critical as firefighting forces are still dealing with many active fronts, several of which being near hamlets," Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis told a news conference on Monday. He said another 171 firefighters would be sent to the island in the northeastern Aegean Sea, joining about 190 assisted by 11 aircraft who were trying to prevent the conflagration from spreading to homes and areas known for producing mastiha, a natural resin harvested from mastic trees. Wind gusts complicated efforts to extinguish the wildfires, which have razed forest and pasture land as they barrel towards the north, west and south of Chios town, the island's capital, causing power cuts and forcing hundreds of villagers to flee to safety. Sitting at Europe's hot southernmost tip, Greece has felt the economic and environmental impact of frequent wildfires in recent years that scientists say have been exacerbated by a fast-changing climate. The country has spent hundreds of millions of euros to compensate households and farmers for damage related to extreme weather and to update firefighting equipment. It has hired a record number of firefighters this year, some 18,000 of them, in anticipation of a challenging fire season.