Mineral Fire burns in Placer County near search for armed suspect
A fire is burning in Placer County Sunday near where law enforcement is searching for an armed suspect who shot at deputies.
The fire is near the Mineral Bar Campground off Iowa Hill Road along the North Fork of the American River.
An AlertCalifornia video shows the fire producing a plume of white smoke.
Fire crews will not make efforts to put out the fire for now because the fire is burning so close to police activity, the Foresthill Fire Protection District said.
A shelter-in-place is already underway in the area.
Meteorologist Ophelia Young said winds are low in the area, with gusts of up to 6 mph.
Placer County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Elise Soviar said at 6 p.m. that the fire had “dwindled down” and was less of a concern than it was earlier.
She said it was unclear if the fire was connected to the armed suspect.
What we know about the law enforcement activity
Derek Spencer, 44, is wanted for pointing a firearm at a couple in the Iowa Hill area on Sunday, in addition to other felonies. The sheriff’s office said that when Spencer was found by deputies, around 10:30 a.m., he rammed into one of their patrol vehicles, making it inoperable, and fled.
Spencer later fired shots at law enforcement and a sheriff’s office helicopter, officials said.
No deputies were hurt but it’s still under investigation if there have been other injuries, Soviar said.
SWAT teams, K9s and aerial resources are being used to find the suspect.
Placer County Sheriff’s Office
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel