The following is a running update of 49 Fire news as it becomes available to Journal staff.

3:51 p.m. Tuesday

Julie Ormonde, L.Ac., of Auburn Community Acupuncture, is offering free treatments during the month of September to those who lost their home or business or were otherwise displaced due to the 49 Fire.

Auburn Community Acupuncture is located at 1407 Lincoln Way. Call (530) 217-9667 for further information.

3:45 p.m. Tuesday

Displaced residents seeking temporary housing can contact the Sacramento Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross at (530) 885-9392 or Auburn's Salvation Army at (530) 889-3990.

3:35 p.m. Tuesday

Anyone wishing to make donations to the people displaced by the 49 Fire can drop off non-perishable food items and toiletries between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Sunday at Healing Secrets or Mail Biz Etc., located at 6100 Horseshoe Bar Road in Loomis.

For more information, call (916) 652-8300.

3:22 p.m. Tuesday

Carol Visser, a licensed clinical psychologist, is offering free sessions for fire victims who would like to talk through their experiences.

Call Dr. Visser at (530) 889-8480 for more information. Her practice is located at 122 East St. in Auburn.

2:02 p.m. Tuesday

Donations of dry and canned dog and cat food are needed for the pets who have been affected by the Auburn Fire. Please take the donated pet food to Placer County Animal Services, 11251 B Ave., Auburn. Only unopened bags and cans of food can be accepted. Donation receipts from A New Hope Animal Foundation are available upon request. If you are in need of food for your pet, please call Lynn Howe at (916) 768 5981 or go to Placer County Animal Services to pick up your food.

1:59 p.m. Tuesday

Valley Redwood will be offering free delivery to any Auburn residents through the end of 2009 as well as a 10 percent discount on any redwood, composite, and pressure treated products to the fire victims.

“Unfortunately, wood burns. We know that, and we know these people will need to do some remodeling and replacing after the fire damage. We hope this will help them accomplish those things and get their lives back to normal sooner rather than later,” said company founder Craig Triebwasser.

"Obviously, this impacts so many people that we know and care about. We want to help, and we hope this is a start. We have many friends that will be impacted by this tragedy, and we take our responsibility as a local, family owned, business, seriously. We hope we can be of assistance to these families," said Melissa Triebwasser, Craig’s daughter.

Valley Redwood is located at 4836 Auburn Blvd in Sacramento. They can be reached by phone at (916) 334-9500 and on the Web at www.valleyredwood.com.

1:32 p.m. Tuesday

The NorCal Motorcycle Club will be hosting a barbecue and poker run to benefit 49 Fire victims Sept. 13 at NORCAL Motor Company, 2630 Highway 49.

The poker run will be a 100-mile ride through the foothills, with stops at various locations along the way. Participants start from NORCAL anywhere from 8:30 to 10 a.m., and should return to NORCAL around 3 p.m.

The barbecue runs 3-7 p.m., is open to the public, and features live music and prizes for the best poker hand.

Cost for the poker run is $20 per rider and $15 for passengers. The barbecue costs $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

See NorCal Motorcycle Club’s Web site or call (530)899-8326 or (916) 878-6308 for more information.

Donations can also be mailed or dropped off to:

US Bank

Attention: Sam Covalt

2360 Grass Valley Highway

Auburn, CA 95603

Make checks payable to “Fire Victims of Auburn.” All proceeds benefit the fire victims.

1:22 p.m. Tuesday

The Auburn Grocery Outlet, joining forces with the local Salvation Army, has placed cash-donation canisters at registers and has also set out donation bins with the purpose of collecting food and clothing. All proceeds will be distributed to those affected by the 49 Fire.

Grocery Outlet is located at 414 Highway 49 in Auburn. Call (530) 885-0250 for more information.

12:23 p.m. Tuesday

Teresa Tal, who lives in the Saddleback neighborhood, shared her experience from Sunday’s fire.

“We had about 20 to 30 minutes to pack up our kids, five cats and four dogs and get out. I said “God Speed” to the fish, turned on the sprinklers, turned off the gas and took off. As we were pulling down our driveway, black smoke was covering the sun and ash was blowing everywhere. We stopped across the street at our neighbors to make sure they were getting out. We learned that they lost their business, Yamaski Nursery, and were in tears. It was like a scene out of a movie. Black smoke, explosions (I think propane), and ash everywhere. As we headed the back way out of our development, there were police flying in from every direction and yelling at us to get out. I had to maneuver our car around them. We got out onto 49 and headed to the mountains where we have a cabin in Graeagle. We were out of cell service for about two hours and had so many messages and e-mails when we arrived. We turned on the news and watched it burn. It was devastating. We did not know until about 9:30 p.m. if we had a home to go back to. It was amazing how we were able to pull it together so fast. We survived our first disaster! Whoohoo. We know it will not be our last and we were able to take away good lessons.

“Now it is time to pull together and help our friends and neighbors rebuild! Leaving work soon to bring supplies to the Auburn Fairgrounds for the fireman who saved my home and start a drive for the families who were not so lucky.”

According to Keri Roeder, Co-Owner of Yamasaki Nursery, Inc., Yamasaki Nursery did not burn down as stated in the above story.

"Tuesday, September 1st at 4:05pm - Yamasaki Nursery, Inc. did NOT burn down as our friend, Teresa Tal, had thought when she was being evacuated from her home on Sunday. Thank you to all of you who were concerned enough to call us after reading her entry. Our builidng was spared from fire due to the efforts of the community, Kevin from Quality Auto, Ellen from the Mexican Food store, our friend Jason Bruce and my husband, Brad. Their heroic efforts to continually put out the fires on our property stopped the fires from reaching our building. Unfortunately, their efforts to assist the firefighters efforts in saving Emma's Harley building were unsuccessful.

WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS...as a matter of fact, we are moving forward with our "Tent Sale" we had already planned - come check it out tomorrow!

Thank you once again to all of those who assisted us and for those who put us in their prayers!! We appreciate it more than words could ever express!!!

Keri Roeder, Co-Owner of Yamasaki Nursery, Inc."

12:04 p.m. Tuesday

The City of Auburn in cooperation with Wings Restaurant is accepting clothing and miscellaneous (non-food) items for the fire victims. The bus is located at the Auburn Airport near the Wings Restaurant on New Airport Road.

11:48 a.m. Tuesday

Umpqua Bank is accepting donations of canned goods, clothing, coloring books, crayons, toys for small children, and monetary gifts on behalf of the Salvation Army for victims of the 49 Fire.

Donations are being accepted at both of Umpqua’s Auburn locations, 500 Auburn Folsom Road or 11795 Atwood Road.

Call (530) 886-2711 or (530) 889-3726 for more information.

11:30 a.m. Tuesday

Echo Valley Ranch, 205 Nevada St., is offering free dog and cat food for the pets of fire victims, while supplies last. Call (530) 823-1482 for further information.

11:18 a.m. Tuesday

Residents are trickling into neighborhoods leveled by the 49 Fire. Most people are standing, looking at the property, not quite knowing what to do next, while others have shovels and rakes in their hands, sifting through the rubble to find any jewelry or mementos.

Sheriffs deputies are still blocking the road and checking IDs at Dry Creek Road off of Highway 49.

The streets are filled with PG&E trucks as crews try to cap gas lines so they can restore power.

— Jenifer Gee

11:13 a.m. Tuesday

The Auburn and Rocklin offices of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage will act as drop-off locations for donations for the victims of the 49 Fire burning.

The offices, located at 255 Elm Ave. in Auburn and 1000 Sunset Blvd. Suite 190 in Rocklin, are accepting public donations of toiletries, blankets, clothing, non-perishable food and pet food. Items may be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. today through Thursday. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage will be giving the donations to the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross to distribute to those affected by the fire.

Victims of the fire are also invited to the Auburn office to use the company’s phones to contact friends and family, and to conduct necessary business. They are asked to show a valid driver’s license. The office will also provide them with a list of properties for rent in the area.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Auburn can be reached at (530) 886-5700. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Rocklin can be reached at (916) 625-1000. For questions or for more information, please contact Auburn and Rocklin office manager Maxine Feil at (530) 886-5760 or (916) 625-4400.

11:02 a.m. Tuesday

Natalie Pohley with Hip Hop Congress is coordinating efforts to get clothing, food and goods to fire victims. Fire victims are asked to contact her with a specific list of needs at (530) 368-4455 or nataliepohley@gmail.com.

10:48 a.m. Tuesday

The 49 Fire was 80 percent contained Tuesday morning as the area of the fire expanded to 340 acres, according to the Cal Fire Web site.

All evacuations for the fire have been lifted for residents with valid identification or proof of residency.

County chaplains will be on hand for those residents whose homes were burned by the fire. Law enforcement officers will also have an increased patrol in the area.

PG&E crews continue to work to restore power and gas but many residences in the fire area remain without. To check on the status of power and gas, customers can contact 1-800-743-5000. Progress is being made in restoring electricity, all residents should have power restored by Wednesday afternoon. Utility crews anticipate restoring gas to customers starting Wednesday evening.

Residents should remain cautious of fire personnel and equipment in the area. There are also a number of other health and safety hazards throughout the fire area. For more tips and precautions when returning home in the fire zone, visit www.placer.ca.gov.

The following roads remain closed to non-residents: Rock Creek Road east of Highway 49, Shale Ridge east of Highway 49, Locksley Lane east of Highway 49 and Dry Creek from Blue Grass Dr. to Highway 49.

An evacuation shelter will remain open at the Auburn Recreation District Park gym on Richardson Ave in Auburn.

5:05 p.m. Monday

PLACER COUNTY TO HOST COMMUNITY MEETING REGARDING FIRE

Placer County will host a Community Meeting on Tuesday, September 1 in Auburn for residents and others affected by the 49er Fire.

The Community Meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Placer County Planning Commission Hearing Room located in the Community Development Resource Center at 3091 County Center Drive in the Placer County Government Center in Auburn. County Center Drive intersects Bell Road in North Auburn.

5:05 p.m. Monday

New hires at Locksley Lane's Schultz Tire Factory found themselves doing some unexpected duties Monday after the 49 Fire caused water and smoke damage after a tire fire erupted. Co-owner Joyce Schultz said the three new workers were hired Thursday and ended up cleaning out damaged insulation and other damaged material from the shop.

5 p.m. Monday

The 49 fire has resulted in some national media attention in Auburn. A "Good Morning America" crew arrived Monday morning to cover the aftermath of Sunday's blaze.

4:15 p.m. Monday

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Placer County will open a one-stop local assistance center along with several federal, state and private agencies to offer assistance to families and businesses affected by the 49 Fire.

The Center will be in the Placer County Government Center (DeWitt Center), and open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It will be located at 11517 F Ave. on the corner 2nd Street and F Avenue. Temporary street signage is being prepared to aid residents who come.

In the County’s Local Assistance Center, families and businesses can meet with agencies to receive information and get assistance in meeting their near and long-term needs. They may also receive assistance in retrieving lost legal documents. County agencies will include Health and Human Services, Building, Planning, Environmental Health, Clerk-Recorder, Assessor and potentially others.

The Small Business Administration and IRS, a federal agency, have been invited to participate in the local assistance center. State agencies also invited include the CAL-EMA (California’s Emergency Management Agency), the Department of Insurance, the California State Licensing Board, the Department of Public Health Vital Records, Employment Development Department, the Franchise Tax Board, Board of Equalization and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Non-profit agencies, such as the American Red Cross, will also be onsite.

Placer County Executive Officer Thomas M. Miller has declared a local emergency, which is expected to be ratified by the Board of Supervisors in a special meeting at 8:30 AM Wednesday.

An Evacuation Center and Red Cross Shelter is being located at Auburn Recreation Center’s Chana Gym located in the Auburn Regional Park in North Auburn at 3770 Richardson Drive. The Calvary Chapel, which served as a Red Cross Shelter last night, will be closing today.

The Placer County Government Center is located between Atwood and Bell Roads in North Auburn. Turn into the Government Center on Willow Creek Drive to easily access F Avenue.

4:07 p.m. Monday

The Salvation Army is responding to the 49 Fire in Auburn. A Disaster Response Team is on-scene at The Salvation Army taking monetary and food donations for the fire victims.

Monetary donations are much needed and can be dropped off at The Salvation Army’s Corps Community Center at 286 Sutter St. in Auburn from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, or mailed to the following address: P.O. Box 4088, Auburn, CA 95604. Or, donate online by logging on to www.tsatoday.org.

Nonperishable food and hydration items can be dropped off at the Community Center on Sutter Street. Unopened and new toiletry items are also needed.

Clothing items in wearable and usable condition can be dropped off at The Salvation Army Thrift Store at 501 High St. in Auburn between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Auburn’s mobile kitchen is on standby ready to mobilize at a moments notice. Mobile kitchens are capable of serving hundreds of meals per day.

Last night Auburn’s mobile kitchen served over 400 hot meals and 900 drinks to fire evacuees and first responders.

Relief efforts will extend throughout the impacted region. In the short-term aftermath of the 49 Fire, Salvation Army officers and staff will focus primarily on the immediate needs of disaster survivors and first-responders.

3:20 p.m. Monday

Click here for a map of the fire area, provided by KBA Geography. 49er Fire Map Source: USGS

3:01 p.m. Monday

Auburn Moose Lodge No. 2264 is hosting a spaghetti dinner at 7 p.m. today at the lodge, 250 Sacramento St.

The feed is open free to all families affected by the fire, as well as fire crews and law enforcement, said Charles McClure, administrator of the lodge.

Donations will be accepted for anyone looking to give.

Call (530) 885-1013 for more information.

2:50 p.m. Monday

The UPS Store at 2945 Bell Road is offering to help coordinate package delivery to the store for people whose homes were destroyed in the fire. Call (530) 823-2422 for more information.

2:30 p.m. Monday

The evacuation center for those displaced by the 49er Fire has been moved to Regional Park at 3770 Richardson Blvd. (From Highway 49, turn left on Dry Creek Road and left of Richardson.)

1:53 p.m. Monday

Cypress Auto Center, 1160 Highway 49, wants to help those who lost vehicles to the fire by providing access to industry appraisal estimates, and also offers to help by making custom vehicle purchases in the wholesale market when residents are ready to purchase a new vehicle.

Contact Cypress Auto Center at (530) 886-8003

1:15 p.m. Monday

Kids Closet children’s consignment shop at 948 B Lincoln Way in Auburn will be offering clothing and toys to those affected by the 49 Fire.

“If there’s a need for shoes, clothes we want them to know they’re welcome to come in and pick out a few outfits,” said Denise Cardona, owner.

One of the store’s consignors visited the emergency shelter and said children needed things to keep them occupied, Cardona said.

The public is welcome to drop-off items like coloring books, crayons and gently used toys for children affected by the fire at her store.

The store also donated items regularly to the Red Cross every week.

Kids Closet is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information call (530) 888-1809.

1:12 p.m. Monday

Forrest and Danelle Stumbo are extending the services of Auburn’s Postal Annex to families displaced by Sunday’s fire.

“My husband and I were wondering, what can we do?” Danelle Stumbo said Monday afternoon.

Postal Annex will provide, free of charge, mobile notary service and use of mailboxes and fax machine. Postal Annex is located at 670 Auburn Folsom Road, Suite 106.

Call (530) 885-7600 or (916) 416-3585 for more information.

1:05 p.m. Monday

As flames continue to smolder in North Auburn, tales of rescue and heroism in the 49er Fire are starting to come to light.

Deputy Ken Skogen with the Placer County Sheriff’s Department was in a neighborhood on South Park Place when evacuations were taking place Sunday afternoon.

A man approached him about his mother who was trapped inside a home. Skogen ran to the house.

“I looked through the window and she was standing there with her walker looking back through the window,” Skogen said Monday.

Skogen broke the window to try to get to her, but it was too high and he couldn’t get her out. Skogen kicked in the door and ran in to retrieve the woman.

“She wouldn’t let go of her walker so I just picked her up and ran back out,” he said.

An ambulance wasn’t able to reach the area, so the woman was taken to the hospital in the partner’s car.

12:45 p.m. Monday

550 homes remain without power in North Auburn today after Pacific Gas & Electric cut electricity to areas affected by the 49er Fire.

Crews worked with Cal Fire last night to shut off gas and electricity at the scene.

“In situations like this we work closely with Cal Fire to make sure the scene is safe for residents and firefighters and other emergency response personnel,” said Brian Swanson, information officer for PG&E. “We de-energized neighborhoods last night, that’s basically to ensure power lines in the area are de-energized so firefighters can go in and around homes without having to work around live lines.”

As many as 3,700 homes had power cut last night, he said.

Several gas crews also responded to the fire scene Sunday night to shut off gas valves, Swanson said.

“In some cases the fire was fueled by natural gas lines in the home,” he said. “Once it was safe to enter, we sent crews to the neighborhood to shut off gas valves to those homes, so we were doing that throughout the night last night.”

PG&E is assessing the damage today with Cal Fire personnel and will return power and gas service when it is safe.

“Once we get the OK from Cal Fire, that could come later today, tonight or tomorrow, we’ll go ahead and re-energize the homes that are still standing,” Swanson said.

Residents are asked to stay tuned to local media or call 1-800-PGE-5000 for updates on outages.

11:46 a.m. Monday

Parkside Church of the Nazarene, 3885 Richardson Drive, has contacted the American Red Cross, offering up its site as a potential shelter for those displaced by the fire.

Laurie DeBaufer said she has yet to hear back, but the North Auburn facility does have showers, a kitchen and space for people to sleep.

Parkside has put out a call to other churches in its denomination, and the community at large, to donate supplies including non-perishable food and toiletries.

Items being accepted include:

-- Non-perishable food items

-- Towels and washcloths

-- Cloth grocery bags

-- Ziplock bags

-- Toothpaste and toothbrushes

-- Deodorant

-- Combs, brushes, shampoo

-- Bar soap, laundry soap, dish soap

-- Napkins and other paper products

-- Plastic utensils

-- Diapers

Parkside also offers the services of its Mother’s Closet ministry, offering children’s clothing up to size 3T, maternity clothing and other items such as walkers and car seats.

The church office is open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Donations will also be accepted at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Call (530) 823-9911 for more information.

11:26 a.m. Monday

The Auburn Keller Williams Realty staff is looking at ways they can help those affected by Sunday’s fire.

Diane Lytal said the office, located at 11601 Blocker Drive No. 200, is serving as a donation drop center. Staff is also compiling a list of area rental homes, to provide more information for residents displaced by the fire. Keller Williams is also offering its office as a work space for businesses displaced by the fire.

“We’ll do whatever we have to do,” Lytal said. “It’s all about community, so we’re doing what we can.”

Call (530) 328-1900 for more information.

11:03 a.m. Monday

Some residents were making their way back to their charred homes as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was expected to tour the damage from the 49er Fire this morning.

Tami Higgs and her husband R.C. came back to their home on Parkway Place to see it completely destroyed. She said her daughter was sleeping at home when she got a call that there was a fire, grabbed her baby and a diaper and ran out.

“That’s all we could save,” Tami Higgs said.

The Higgs had lived at the home for 14 years and were just getting ready to remodel.

“We were going to stay here for a while,” she said.

The couple had a fire-proof safe that was in tact and were sifting through debris looking for any photos or mementos they could save.

“We have zero. Absolutely zero,” Tami Higgs said.

10:49 a.m. Monday

Local education officials confirmed that classes are in session Monday, and that teachers and staff are doing what they can to help students cope with the impact of Sunday’s fire.

Scott Pickett, Rock Creek principal, said stories are coming in from families and staff members and about their experiences Sunday. Pickett knew of one Rock Creek staff member and one family who lost their homes.

Attendance did appear to be down Monday, Pickett said.

“We have more absences than usual, but many of those are turning into tardies,” he said.

Auburn Elementary principal Sam Schug also confirmed that classes were in session Monday.

“We are carrying on, as usual,” he said.

Schug said that while the fire displaced Auburn Elementary families and staff members, he has yet to hear of anyone in the Auburn Elementary community who lost their home. The Rock Creek and Auburn elementary school sites served as evacuation centers Sunday, and Schug said school staff has taken phone calls from citizens wanting to know how to help. The two campuses are no longer serving as evacuation sites.

10:08 a.m. Monday

O'Brien Child Development Center is accepting donations for fire victims at 11557 E Ave. in Auburn.

10 a.m. Monday

The 49er Fire was 50 percent contained Monday morning as crews continued to battle the 275-acre blaze.

“There are active fires within the fire (area) and we are mitigating that,” said Mary Ann Aldrich, public information officer for Cal Fire. “We are expecting full containment tomorrow.”

Firefighting crews have been increased to 621 personnel, 90 engines, 13 handcrews, 18 dozers and 15 water tenders.

“We’re hitting it hard. We’re not seeing a lot of smoke, but there’s still activity in the fire,” she said.

Cal Fire has confirmed 60 structures were damaged — 50 homes and 10 commercial buildings.

“We don’t have a listing of those and we won’t for some time,” Aldrich said. “We’re continuing to contain the fire. We have to get in and assess safety hazards, gas lines, power lines and we need time to do that. We appreciate residents hanging in there and letting us do our job.”

She did not have an estimate of when the evacuation would be lifted, however Saddleback is open to residents only, she said.

9:49 a.m. Monday

Northbound Highway 49 has opened to one lane of traffic at Bell Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Motorists can expect delays.