california fires
Fork Fire 1,752 acres and 61% contained
Submitted by paula on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 8:54pm
The Fork Fire burning west of Lake Tahoe, north of Pollock Pines continues to be 1,752 acres in size but is now 61 percent contained. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 has been in command of the Fork Fire since September 11 and will be handing that duty over to another team on Thursday, September 24.
The containment lines are to the north, east and south sides of the Fork Fire and fire continues to burn in the steep Rubicon drainage area.
351 personnel are assigned to the fire at this time.
Heat advisory in effect all weekend for Lake Tahoe communities
Submitted by paula on Thu, 09/03/2020 - 12:40pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It is going to be a hot one in Lake Tahoe over the Labor Day Weekend as well as in Western Nevada and Northern California.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Heat Advisory from 11:00 a.m. Friday to 8:00 p.m. Sundayfor Lake Tahoe due to consecutive days of high temperature. The forecast highs are 90-93 degrees those three days and record high temperatures are likely this holiday weekend.
Not only will there be high temperatures, there will also be widespread haze due to Northern California fires.
Smoke in Lake Tahoe Basin from Northern California fires
Submitted by paula on Sun, 08/02/2020 - 3:25pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 275-acre fire burning in Lassen National Forest is most likely to blame for smoke in the Lake Tahoe Basin and in the Reno area.
The Stump Fire started Saturday afternoon and is near State Highways 36 and 172 near Childs Meadows, in the mountains between Red Bluff and Susanville. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno said some smoke could also possibly be coming from the 1,800 acre Red Salmon Complex fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
NV Energy and Liberty Utilities outline wildfire mitigation plans for Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 1:03pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With electrical transmission lines found to be at fault in recent California fires, agencies responsible for supplying electricity to communities have been creating plans to prevent fires in the future.
Both companies that supply power to Lake Tahoe, NV Energy and Liberty Utilities, have announced new mitigation efforts to reduce the risk of fire.
Lake Tahoe Basin fire suppression successes since the Angora Fire
Submitted by paula on Fri, 04/12/2019 - 7:00am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Those of us living in Lake Tahoe know all too well the dangers of wildfire, but we also know the positive outcome a collaborative effort to be better prepared can do.
Residents across the West have been given their "wake up call" over the past few years as record-breaking fires have burned through communities, leaving devastation and death in their wake.
Windy around Lake Tahoe Sunday, mild week ahead
Submitted by paula on Sun, 08/26/2018 - 12:05am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In the coming week, Lake Tahoe and Western Nevada will see temperatures near average with a few degrees of cooling possible for the early part of next week. Dry conditions and typical breezes are expected through Saturday evening with breezy winds and critical fire weather concerns increasing for Sunday as a dry trough approaches the region. No precipitation is expected for the next week.
Expect widespread haze from Northern California fires.
The forecast from the National Weather Service:
Ferguson Fire 100% contained; firefighters gaining control on most others
Submitted by paula on Wed, 08/22/2018 - 11:34pm
There are still several fires burning in California but firefighters have gained the upper hand on many of them.
Ferguson Fire: The Ferguson Fire is now at 96,901 acres with 100 percent containment and 881 personnel currently engaged on the fire. During the most critical time in the fire, over 3,000 people were assigned to the incident from all over the world. There have been 2 fatalities and 19 injuries. 10 structures have been destroyed.
Fire updates for Northern California fires, Yosemite reopens Tuesday
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/10/2018 - 6:13pm
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the Sierra, including the Donnell Fire area where 23,824 acres since starting on August 1. Northwest winds and low relative humidity may increase activity along the southern and eastern areas of the fire, keeping smoke away from Lake Tahoe. Concern areas include Long Valley, Haypass, Sardine, and Red Rock Meadows. The fire may also travel in a Southeast direction towards Kennedy Meadows within the Middle Fork Stanislaus River corridor. A Forest Order Closure has been issued for the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness and Spicer Lake.
#TeamTahoe focus of Lake Tahoe Summit
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/10/2018 - 9:38am
The annual Lake Tahoe Summit held this week at Sand Harbor State Park marked the 22nd time government officials, public agencies, non-profit environmental groups, the public and other groups came together to renew their focus and commitment on preserving the beauty of Lake Tahoe.
Forecast: Haze and 80s in the seven-day forecast for South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Wed, 08/08/2018 - 5:24pm
Smoke from California fires have plagued the Lake Tahoe Basin for a few weeks, and there is no relief in sight. Afternoon winds stoked the Donnell Fire Wednesday, pushing a large plume of smoke into the atmosphere and sending it right to Lake Tahoe and the Reno/Carson Valley area.
Smoke in Lake Tahoe Basin coming from Northern California fires
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/03/2018 - 3:52pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Friday morning started off clear and sunny, but by mid-morning smoke from from several California fires filled the Lake Tahoe Basin.
The smoke Friday has been a combination of the Carr Fire, the Mendocino Complex fires (Ranch Fire and River Fire) and the two western El Dorado County fires according to the USFS office in South Lake Tahoe. The Whaleback Fire and Ferguson Fire are also burning north and south of the lake.
Lake Tahoe and Western Nevada getting smoke from two California fires
Submitted by paula on Fri, 07/27/2018 - 8:36pm
Two large California fires are sending smoke into Lake Tahoe, Reno and the Carson Valley. For several days, smoke from the Ferguson Fire has filled the area skies, but today most of the smoke came from the one-day old Carr Fire.
The Ferguson Fire burning west of Yosemite continues to burn through rugged, hard to access terrain. Officials reported a 764-acre growth in the fire today for a total of 46,675 acres as of 6:00 p.m. Friday. Containment is at 29 percent.
Column: Funds needed to make fire response proactive instead of reactive
Submitted by paula on Mon, 04/02/2018 - 7:20pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Last October, California experienced a series of devastating wildfires that destroyed property and took lives. In a four month period the State endured fires and floods from San Diego to Mendocino that destroyed over 11,000 homes and commercial structures and killed 64 Californians. Local Government fire and rescue personnel and equipment comprised up to 80 percent available resources for mutual aid throughout the State. The City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Department along with other fire agencies around the basin engaged in these critical fire fights.
Railway and logging companies pay $3.03 million in fines for NorCal fires
Submitted by paula on Thu, 12/28/2017 - 11:39pm
$3.03 million was paid in settlements from a logging company and a railway company for their part in Northern California fires, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today.
LRY, LLC dba Lake Railway, has paid $1.08 million to settle allegations by the United States relating to a pair of wildfires that burned 840 acres of national forest land. Lake Railway is a rail line that operates in Northern California.
The settlement represents a 100 percent recovery of the United States’ suppression costs, plus interest and penalties.
Air quality in El Dorado County affected by Northern California fires
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 6:05pm
Air quality in El Dorado County is currently being impacted by smoke from wildfires burning in the State. County health officials are reminding residents to take precautions should wildfire smoke impact the areas in which they live, work and recreate. According to Air Pollution Control Officer Dave Johnston, wildfires can produce smoke that causes health problems, particularly for children, older people and those with heart disease or respiratory issues.
Johnston advises residents to limit outdoor activity if they see or smell smoke.
Specific precautions include the following:
Over 5,000 firefighters battling 24 fires across California and Nevada
Submitted by paula on Sun, 07/09/2017 - 11:54am
Several fires in California and Nevada are burning on Sunday with thousands of firefighting personnel fighting the blazes. The list below is of current fires in both states, updated with information available at 11:00 a.m. on July 9.
California Fires
Alamo Fire - 23,867 acres, 10 percent contained, San Luis Obispo County
Schaeffer Fire - 14,342 acres, 11 percent contained, 798 personnel, 17 miles north of Kernville, CA
Whittier Fire - 7,800 acres, 5 percent contained, 400 personnel with more on the way, Lake Cachuma, Santa Barbara County
Northern California fire update
Submitted by paula on Mon, 09/21/2015 - 8:09pm
The Butte Fire near Jackson, CA continues to burn but is now 74% contained. So far, 70,760 acres have burned. The destructive and deadly fire destroyed 545 homes and 356 outbuildings, as well as damaging another 42 structures. Two civilians have died in the fire.
Cal Fire is holding two community information meetings, one in each affected county. (Amador County) Monday, September 21, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. The Call Church; 18400 Ridge Road, Pine Grove, CA 95665.
Butte Fire: Two Fatalities Confirmed, Containment Grows To 47 Percent
Submitted by paula on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 11:18pm
6:47 p.m. - Cal Fire says containment on the Butte Fire has grown to 47 percent, with acreage burned holding at 71,780 acres.
Damage assessment shows 233 residences, 175 outbuildings and 15 other structures burned in the fire, with 6,000 additional structures still threatened.
Officials ask that area residents remain vigilant, as the fire is still active in many areas. They also ask for people to assist by calling the appropriate authorities for specific situations:
If you see trees on a highway, please call Cal-Trans at 209-948-7543.
Smoke from western fires filling Lake Tahoe basin
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/21/2015 - 11:40pm
Expect smoke to continue filling the Lake Tahoe basin on Saturday and, depending on the wind, into next week. Over the past few days, winds have pushed smoke from wildfires in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest into the Lake Tahoe Basin as well as nearby Truckee Meadows.
On Friday afternoon, air quality levels in Reno were in the range of "unhealthy for sensitive groups" to "unhealthy" but South Lake Tahoe fared much better with quality range in the "good" range. For the next six days, air is expected to stay in "moderate" range on the South Shore.
Smoke from California fires fills Lake Tahoe basin
Submitted by paula on Sat, 08/08/2015 - 5:40pm
Smoke from fires burning in Northern California has moved into the Lake Tahoe basin, Reno and Carson City.
The air in Reno reached the unhealthy range at 4 p.m. on Saturday with a 151 air quality index.
There is no single fire contributing to this, rather many large wildfires and wildfire complexes in northern California.
King Fire, Dog Fire and Applegate Fire updates
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/09/2014 - 10:18pm
Highway 80 has been reopened to four lanes this evening as firefighters continue to fight the Applegate Fire which had caused three lanes to be closed since Wednesday.
It is still unknown how the fire started but it has been listed as suspicious in nature. The fire has burned 420 acres as of Thursday evening and is now 25% contained. Firefighters worked in steep and rugged terrain to get the containment line in place. There are 1,419 personnel on the scene with air tanker support from the U.S. Forest Service.
Firefighters gain ground on Northern California fires
Submitted by paula on Thu, 08/07/2014 - 9:49pm
Over 4,016 firefighters have been gaining ground on three major Northern California fires burning in the Sierra.
The Bald Fire is now 91% contained. It had burned 39,926 acres as of 7 p.m. Thursday. According to incident command, there was mostly minimal fire behavior today as smoldering stumpholes and 1,000 hour fuels continue to consume. Isolated interior islands showed moderate rates of spread and some individual torching.The fire is expected to be contained by Friday.
Tuolumne County hunter indicted for starting the Rim Fire; Faces jail time and fines
Submitted by paula on Thu, 08/07/2014 - 9:13pm
One of the largest fires in California history, as well as being one of the costliest, was started by an illegal campfire started by a bow hunter according to a federal grand jury indictment returned Thursday.
Update: Over 500,000 acres burned in the West
Submitted by paula on Sat, 08/02/2014 - 11:31pm
8/5/14 9:15 a.m. update: Rains in Northern California on Monday did little to penetrate the canopy of the raging fires according to Bald Fire Inicident Command, but the fire did burn less actively. As of Tuesday morning, the lightening caused fire has consumed 39,850 acres and is 30% contained. Nearly 1,000 fire fighters are on the fire.
The other large fire near the town of Burney, the Eiler Fire, is now 20% contained and it has burned 28,600 acres. The estimate date for full containment is August 20th and for the Bald Fire, August 17th.
