San Joaquin County authorities have been sent to assist first responders this week at the Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County, a fire that has destroyed thousands of acres and burned down hundreds of homes.

San Joaquin County sheriff’s spokeswoman Deputy Sandra Mendez said on Tuesday deputies and officers were asked to help aid in the fires after a request for assistance was submitted by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, which serves as a regional mutual aid coordinator for the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

Mendez said a team of law enforcement agencies from San Joaquin County, consisting of 22 people, has been sent to the Caldor Fire. In addition to sending crews, the county has also lent 11 law enforcement vehicles to assist.

Deputies and police officers assisting in the fires are responsible for helping people in the area evacuate and providing security when needed. According to Mendez, the county will lend its assistance to El Dorado County until further notice.

The Caldor Fire was 11 percent contained as of Wednesday afternoon and had burned over 126,000 acres. According to Cal Fire, at least 637 structures have been destroyed and 34 structures have been damaged since the start of the fire, which began Aug. 14.

Cal Fire has posted a list of evacuation centers for residents and animals affected by the blaze.

Victoria Franco is a Stockton-based reporter covering the diverse news around the Central Valley as part of the Report for America program. As a Stockton native, Franco is proud to cover stories within her community and report a variety of coverage. She is a San Jose State University alumna with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. In her collegiate years she was Managing Editor for the Spartan Daily. From her time at the Spartan Daily she helped lead her staff to California College Media Awards and a General Excellence first place. Victoria encourages readers to email her story tips and ideas at victoria.franco@baycitynews.com.