21,000 acres consumed in Tamarack Fire south of Lake Tahoe, Evacuation orders expand

SUNDAY UPDATE: All current updates are now on http://southtahoenow.com/story/07/18/2021/tamarack-fire-remapped-18299-acres-evacuation-orders-still....

7:00PM UPDATE: Forced by gusty winds, critically dry fuels and low relative humidity the Tamarack Fire exhibited rapid rates of spread and an increase in fire behavior throughout the day. The fire is estimated to have grown to 21,000 acres today and is still 0% contained. The fire continues to burn in a northwesterly direction, west of Markleeville towards the Highway 89 corridor. The increase in fire activity forced an evacuation of Alpine Village and Woodfords this morning.

The fire crossed the East Fork of the Carson River near the East Fork Resort and moved into lighter fuels which aided in the fire’s growth to the north during the afternoon hours.This evening, firefighters will continue to actively suppress the fire where they can safely do so utilizing a variety of tactics, natural barriers and targets of opportunity. The fire continues to impact the community of Markleeville and the surrounding areas. It has been confirmed by Alpine County, that 2 structures were destroyed by the fire last night.

4:30PM UPDATE: The Tamarack Fire continues to burn and is being aided by wind. Unfortunately, air response is limited due to building smoke. The mandatory evacuations are in place for the following areas: Grover Hot Springs, Shay Creek, Marklee Village, Markleeville, Carson River Resort, & Poor Boy Road area, Wolf Creek Campground, Silver Creek Campground, Sierra Pines, Upper and Lower Manzanita, Crystal Springs, Alpine Village, Diamond Valley Road and Hung-a-lel-ti. "The Mesa" is under a voluntary evacuation but conditions are changing fast. Please stay out of these areas to allow emergency personnel to do their jobs.

The evacuation center has moved to the Douglas County Senior Center in Gardnerville, across from Lampe Park.

2:50PM UPDATE: Afternoon winds on the Tamarack Fire are contributing to high rates of spread of the fire to the northwest, west of Highway 89. Evacuations have been issued for Alpine Village and Woodfords. The Carson Valley can expect to be impacted by heavy smoke as the fire increases in size.

1:15PM UPDATE: Mandatory evacuations have expanded due to a shift in the winds and fire. At this time, Douglas Way along SR89 at Hope Valley/Sorensens, east of Picketts Junction is being evacuated according to Eastern Sierra Fire & Ice. The fire has also jumped SR89 just south of Turtle Rock State Park and is anticipated to make a run north along both sides of the highway. If in the area, it is time to leave.

8:15AM 7/17 UPDATE: The USFS Humboldt-Toiyable Forest first command is reporting 6,600 acres have burned in the Tamarack Fire near the town of Markleeville. Fire burned actively throughout the night. Firefighters are on scene and actively engaged in suppression operations including two helicopters, a "very large" air tanker, aingle engine air tankers and other air attack are on scene. Fire is burning in timber and brush and is active on all flanks and exhibiting high rates of spread. Ground and air resources have been working together to establish an anchor point to begin containment lines around the flank, or sides, of the fire. Currently, air tankers are using retardant to coat the vegetation to try to inhibit the fire’s spread.

The Alpine County Sheriff's Office is reporting three structures lost and all evacuation orders are still in place. Highway 89, 88 and 4 are closed in the fire area. Evacuations are in place for Markleeville, Grover’s Hot Springs Park and Campground, Shay Creek, Markleeville Village and East Fork Resort.

Power is still out to Markleville.

9:00PM UPDATE: Liberty Utilities is reporting 212 electric customers (32% of their customers) in the Markleeville area are without power. At this time they are estimated it to be restored before 11:00 p.m.

8:30PM UPDATE: From USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe - The Tamarack fire is estimated to be 500 acres burning near the town of Markleeville. Firefighters are on scene and actively engaged in suppression operations. The fire is burning in timber and brush, and is active on flanks and exhibiting high rates of spread. Ground and air resources have been working together to establish an anchor point to begin containment lines around the flank, or sides, of the fire. Currently, air tankers are using retardant to coat the vegetation to try to inhibit the fire’s spread. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered for this incident.

Evacuations are in place for Markleeville, Grover’s Hot Springs Park and Campground, Shay Creek, Markleeville Village and East Fork Resort. Residents can sign up for evacuation notifications at https://alpinecountyca.gov/204/Sheriff. Evacuees can report to Alpine County School in Paynesville. The public is advised to avoid the area. Visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7674/ for continued updates.

The fire’s location, hazards to firefighters, conditions on the ground, past fire history, resource availability and weather forecasts are some of the factors taken into account when selecting a management strategy for any wildfire. The safety of our firefighters and the public is always our number one priority.

7:00PM UPDATE: The Alpine County Early Learning Center at 100 Foothill Blvd near Woodfords and Alpine County Health and Human Services, 75 Diamond Valley Road are open as an evacuation center. Alpine County Sheriff's office is currently evacuating Marklee Village, Shay Creek and Grover's Hot Springs. These are mandatory evacuations.

From the Death Ride organizers: At this time the Death Ride is being canceled. More information will be available on next steps for the ride will be available as soon as possible. Any riders currently staying in the Markleeville area are asked to evacuate. Personnel from multiple agencies are responding to the fire.

6:45PM UPDATE: Grover Hot Springs and Turtle Rock Campgrounds are being evacuated. The fire has grown to 500 acres and multiple resources are at the scene including two helicopters, large air tanker, single engine air tankers. An Air attack is ordered and/or on scene.

6:15PM UPDATE: The Tamarack Fire is burning Near Markleeville and Pleasant Valley. It is now Estimated to be 100 acres. Smoke is visible from the Carson City, Carson Valley, Lake Tahoe and Markleeville. Fire Crews are hiking in to the remote location and air resources have been ordered.

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The Tamarack Fire, north of Tamarack Lake on Blue Lakes Road, may be visible from the Pacific Crest Trail and surrounding communities from Lake Tahoe to the Carson Valley.

It originally started with lightning on July 4 and firefighters had been monitoring. It was under 40 acres in size Friday morning but has seen increased activity and resources are responding.

The PCT is still open and the fire is not currently affecting hikers.

This story will be updated as new information is made available.

Another fire burning south of the Tamarack, the Henry Fire, is 1,000 acres in size at this time.