Tamarack Fire mapped at almost 19,000 acres, some evacuation orders still in place

11:00PM UPDATE: The Tamarack fire is estimated at 18,299 acres according to the nightly update on Inciweb by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, with no containment. Earlier in the day, people speaking at a press conference at the Douglas County Senior Center reported 26,000 acres had burned. An infrared-equipped plane is scheduled to fly the fire overnight, to provide more accurate information about the fire’s size and location.

Firefighters worked on the west flank of the fire today to protect structures by clearing brush and using other point protection tactics. They also put in line from Highway 89 east to Diamond Valley Road to slow the fire’s spread. They will continue to work tomorrow to improve this line. Crews have also secured the area around Markleeville and will continue mop up tomorrow to extinguish any remaining hot spots. On the east edge of the fire, crews are working around the Carson River Ranch area and the Shay Creek and Grover Hot Springs areas, putting in containment line and extinguishing hot spots.

Evacuations: Markleeville, Grover Hot Springs and campground area, Shay Creek, Marklee Village, Alpine Village, Woodfords, East Fork Resort and the community of Hung A Lel Ti are under evacuation.

Closures: Highway 89 is closed at the intersection of Highway 4 and 89. Highway 4 is open west of the Highway 89 and Highway 4 junction. Please slow down and drive with caution in the area as fire crews continue to work. Refer to https://roads.dot.ca.gov/ for closure specifics.

The Pacific Crest Trail is closed between Carson Pass (Highway 88) and Ebbetts Pass (Highway 4). Please find locations away from the fire area for your recreation opportunities

Smoke: Heavy smoke grounded all firefighting aircraft today. Active fire behavior and growth of the Tamarack Fire will continue to impact Carson Valley and surrounding areas with smoke and moderate ash fall. Individuals with compromised respiratory systems are encouraged to limit outdoor exposure, if possible.

Rocky Mountain Team 1, a Type 1 organization, has been ordered for the Tamarack Fire due to the increasing complexity of the incident. Team 1 will be in-briefed Monday and will assume command of the fire from Great Basin Team 3 on Tuesday.

8:00PM UPDATE: Air response was still limited due to smoke on Sunday. Alpine County is reporting 25,000 acres have burned and six structures have been lost. Mandatory evacuations are in place for the following areas: Grover Hot Springs, Shay Creek, Marklee Village, Markleeville, Carson River Resort, and 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.

There is an evacuation center set up at the Douglas County Senior Center across from Lampe Park in Gardnerville.

11:30AM UPDATE: The fire is estimated to have grown to 18,299 acres and is still 0% contained. There is a red flag warning today in the area of the fire from 11:00 a.m. through Monday at 11:00 a.m. There are thunderstorms predicted today in the afternoon that may cause erratic winds in the fire area. There are 517 firefighting personnel working on the fire.

Today, firefighters will continue to actively suppress the fire where they can do so safely. Crews will be focusing on preserving life and property with point protection of structures and putting in containment lines where possible. Aviation resources are available to assist with water delivery when smoke conditions allow. The fire continues to impact the community of Markleeville and the surrounding areas.

Evacuations: 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.

Closures: Highway 89 is closed at the intersection of Highway 4 and 89. Highway 4 is currently open west of the Highway 89 and Highway 4 junction. Please slow down and drive with caution in the area as fire crews and equipment will continue to arrive and use the Highway to access the fire. Please refer to https://roads.dot.ca.gov/ for closure specifics.

Smoke: Due to an increase in fire activity and the growth of the Tamarack Fire, the Carson Valley and surrounding areas will continue to be impacted by smoke and moderate ash fall throughout the day. Individuals with compromised respiratory systems are encouraged to limit outdoor exposure if possible.

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - There is no containment on the Tamarack Fire burning south of Lake Tahoe near the town of Markleeville. Fire officials remapped the fire and changed the total acres burned from 21,000 to 18,299.

There have been no other updates this morning.

The fire is northeast of the Pacific Crest Trail near Raymond Peak (around mile 1060) in the Pleasant Valley Creek area. The trail located within the exterior boundaries of the Humboldt- Toiyabe National Forest, Carson Ranger District from Ebbits Pass/Highway 4 to Highway 88 is closed per a Forest Order than began on July 17 at 10:00 p.m. will continues until August 30, 2021, or until rescinded.

The Tamarack Fire was started by a lightning strike on July 4 and was fed by winds and grew out of control Friday.

All evacuation orders are still in place. As things change today this story will be updated.