COPPEROPOLIS — The wind-whipped vegetation fire 40 miles northeast of Manteca in western Calaveras County had zero containment as of 9 p.m. Monday.

The rapid growth of the fire — it had burned 5,009 acres less than 6 hours after it started at around 3 p.m. — has Cal Fire crews concerned.

Cal Fire said the Aero Fire “is growing at a dangerous rate of spread," Cal Fire said.

The fire as of 11 p.m. was burning in a northwest direction on a path, if it continues and winds don’t change – that could take it past the backside of Salt Spring Reservoir north of Hunt Road and east of Milton Road.

The fire broke out near Aero Road and Rock Creek Road.

More than 7,300 households were without power as of 10:30 p.m., according to PG&E.

Highway 4 is closed from Poole Station Road to O'Byrnes Ferry Road. Hunt Road at Milton Road, Salt Springs Valley Road, Felix Road, and Rock Creek Road is also closed.

The areas of Copper Town Square and O’Byrne’s Ferry Road to the county line are under an evacuation order, according to the Calaveras sheriff's office.  

Cal Fire indicated much of the area that has been burning has thick 4-foot high weed growth that had been dried out as temperatures heated up. Strong winds — that included gusts in excess of 30 mph —is making the situation worse.

The fire 15 days after the Corral Fire south of Tracy that burned 14,000 acres.

The Manteca, Lathrop and Ripon also has the same type of vegetation growth due to a wet spring.

The high temperatures coupled with high winds has dried out the vegetation making it a major concern for firefighters.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com