Update: Smoke continues to come to Lake Tahoe from fires in the west

A number of fires across northern and eastern California continue to bring hazy conditions and degraded air quality to northeast California, the Sierra, and western Nevada. According to the National Weather Service in Reno, areas at greatest risk for unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality are from Sonora Pass to South Lake Tahoe and Carson City.

Many areas could see thinning smoke for at least the next couple days as winds shift to more east to southeast direction. This would carry the bulk of any new smoke away from the area. This may be a short-lived break as westerly flow looks like it will return late in the week and for the weekend.

Tuesday evening fire wrapup:

DONNELL FIRE: So far, 13,814 acres have burned and the fire is just five percent contained. The Pacific Crest Trail has been closed from Highway 108 to Highway 4 as of August 6 due to the proximity of the Donnell Fire. Fire spread was minimal today due to the inversion layer, although acreage did increase by about 2,000 acres due to better field verification. Calm conditions stayed in place most of the day allowing crews to focus on structure protection; clearing vegetation and extinguishing hot spots. The fire started at the inlet of Donnell Reservoir and continues to burn along the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River in steep and inaccessible terrain. It has spread to both sides of Highway 108 near Brightman. The fire is burning north into the Carson Iceberg Wilderness between the Arnot Creek and Disaster Creek drainages and east to Eureka Valley along Highway 108. Evacuations are in place.

FERGUSON FIRE: The Ferguson Fire is now 94,992 acres with 43 percent containment. It is burning on the western side of Yosemite and is now in its 26th day. Significate milestones have been accomplished by firefighters along the northern perimeter of the fire. The hottest and most active part of the fire continues to be between Wawona Road, Glacier Point Road and Chinquapin. The fire is burning into old fire scars. Reduction of fuel within these fire scars enable crews to work directly on the fire’s edge. Some evacuation orders are being lifted but Yosemite Valley remains closed.

LION'S Fire: The Lions Fire is estimated at 8,138 acres with 65 percent containment, for an increase of 249 acres. It is burning 7 miles southwest of Mammoth Lakes. There are 200 personnel committed to the fire, including 7 crews, 4 helicopters, and a pack string of mules from the Stanislaus National Forest.

MENDOCINO COMPLEX: The Mendocino Complex is comprised of two fires, the River Fire and the Ranch Fire. This is now the scene of the state's largest fire, ever. 292,692 acres have burned and firefighters have it 38 percent contained. The River Fire is located northeast of the community of Hopland, and the Ranch Fire is located northeast of Ukiah, in Lake County and Mendocino County, California. The Ranch Fire is actively burning in the Mendocino National Forest north of Clearlake. Some areas are being repopulated.

CARR FIRE: The Carr Fire burning west of Redding has burned 172,055 acres and it is now 47 percent contained. Smoke over the fire area has tempered fire activity today. Heavy timber fuels are still challenging firefighting efforts. Firefighters will work through the night constructing containment lines and mitigating spot fires across control lines. Repopulation of some residents affected by evacuations will continue as conditions permit but many areas are still under evacuation orders. 1,077 homes have been destroyed with almost 1,000 still threatened by the fire.

WHALEBACK FIRE: This fire east of Eagle Lake north of Susanville is now 100 percent contained. The fire is 18,703 acres and some campgrounds are reopening.

MURPHY FIRE: This fire just started Tuesday morning in the Feather River Canyon in Plumas National Forest. South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue has sent a strike to the fire, which is north of Lake Tahoe. An evacuation center has been set up in Quincy ....at thie time the fire is holding at 100 acres.