Grower farms are welcoming visitors this Labor Day Weekend!
(September 1, 2021) – Apple Hill Growers will be opening their farm stands and bake shops this holiday weekend and many visitors will have questions regarding the effect of the Caldor Fire. We are happy to report that none of our growers sustained any damage and in fact, fire crews were able to hold the fire line well to the south of Apple Hill. We are grateful to all our fire crews who worked so hard to keep us safe.
Many Apple Hill Grower farms are outside of the evacuation zones and remain open.
“The past two weeks have been among the most challenging since our organization’s founding in the early 1960s, with the Caldor Fire resulting in evacuations and road closures for our Easternmost farms,” said Chris Delfino of Delfino Farms and president of the Apple Hill Growers Association. “However, fire crews have gained control over a large part of the Western end of the fire and evacuations affecting those farms could be lifted very soon.” And just in – our eastern growers have just had their evacuation orders downgraded to warning status (Wednesday afternoon) , so be sure to check CalFire’s website (20) CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit | Facebook for posts and up to the minute fire information. And please check with our farms to see if they are open, too.
Air quality in the area has also significantly improved over the past few days. Visitors who have concerns about air quality can check PurpleAir.com for regularly updated information. Just search for Placerville or Camino, California for a sense of conditions in the area.
Due to the Caldor Fire, there are road closures in the area:
- Highway 50 remains closed from Sly Park Road in Pollock Pines to the Nevada State Line.
- Highway 88 is closed from Peddler Hill to Highway 89 intersection.
- Highway 50 at Sawmill
- Pioneer Trail at Elks Club
- Elks Club at Highway 50
- Highway 89 at Highway 88 junction
- Fallen Leaf at Tahoe Mountain
Several construction projects on Highway 50 could also affect travel plans:
- It is recommended to use Exits 48, 49, 54 and 57 to access the farms and wineries.
- Barriers have been installed to restrict left hand turns at lower Carson Road and at 5 Mile Road/Paul Bunyan Road.
- The on-ramp from 5 Mile Road to westbound Highway 50 is closed.
- The intersection at Camino Heights Drive will remain open.
- Upper Carson Road remains open for left-hand turns.
For more information on what’s in season and a printable map, please visit the Apple Hill Growers website at http://applehill.com/ and follow @applehillofficial on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-the-minute information.
About Apple Hill Growers
Founded in 1964, The Apple Hill Growers are dedicated to supporting agriculture in El Dorado County. The organization began with 16 apple ranches and has grown to include unique fruit & veggie farms, wineries, B & B’s, flower gardens, and Christmas tree farms. The more than 50 farms of Apple Hill produce a variety of crops including apples, berries, stone fruit, vegetables, wine grapes, flowers and more.