Shifting Winds Make Trailhead Fire Difficult To Contain

FORESTHILL (CBS13) — Crews are struggling to gain control of the Trailhead fire burning in El Dorado and Placer counties.

The fire grew from 250 acres to 1,000 acres in 24 hours and is only 12 percent contained with 2,600 structures threatened.

The all-out air attack on the fire couldn't stop it from reaching closer to more homes, forcing new road closures and new mandatory evacuation orders.

Tony Rose and his wife are leaving their Georgetown home.

"At one time, the planes were flying farther over to the west, now they're coming up over properties so it seems like the fire is moving up this way," he said.

The massive column of smoke from the wildfire is sitting right over Dennis Smith's dream home that's under construction.

"It's about two miles away, but it's going up a canyon kind of parallel to our property," he said.

From his back balcony, he can watch the Cal Fire planes circling overhead.

"There's no way they're going to handle it on the ground, it's way too steep—it's 2,000 feet elevation change almost," he said.