Slink Fire burning southwest of Topaz Lake grows to over 2,200 acres

Smoke from the fires burning north of Lake Tahoe continue to fill the area Sunday morning. The Sheep Fire near Honey Lake is 29,517 acres and 38 percent contained, the Loyalton Fire is at 98 percent containment and 47,029 acres. The North Complex burning in Lassen and Plumas forests is 61,093 acres and 37 percent contained.

To the south of Lake Tahoe, the Slink Fire is burning in the Slinkard Valley southwest of Topaz Lake was first reported on August 29 at 6:00 p.m. As of Sunday morning it is estimated to be 2,282 acres with zero percent containment, burning in pinyon juniper, sage and grass and was a result of recent lightning in the area.

The fire has been exhibiting extreme and erratic fire behavior due to dry fuel conditions, winds and topography alignment. It is moving east toward Coleville, south towards Little Antelope and west toward the Iceberg Wilderness, burning in pinyon juniper and grass.

The Little Antelope Pack Station on Mill Creek Road has been evacuated as a precaution. There are currently no other evacuations or closures.

Yesterday, fixed wing aircraft was unable to launch due to limited visibility from drift smoke from the ongoing California wildfires, so firefighters work to establish an anchor point on the north end, or heel, of the fire. Today, firefighters are hoping for clearer conditions and have ordered multiple helicopters and air tankers to aid in suppression efforts. The primary focus will be the eastern edge of the fire, which is currently about a mile from Coleville, California. Additional ground crews have also been ordered, along with a Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Team, who will be arriving on the fire today.