The Rim Fire continues to affect South Lake Tahoe as winds change from the South/Southwest and bring smoke into the basin. Saturday’s clear blue skies have now become grey, a combination of smoke and a weather system that will bring isolated thunderstorms to the region today.
Firefighters gained a lot of ground on the fire in the last 24 hours and now have it listed at 60% contained. The Rim Fire is now the 4th largest in California’s history and the largest in the U.S. in 2013.
The air quality in South Lake Tahoe is now listed as “moderate” with an AQI of 66. People with respiratory disease are the group most at risk and should take caution and reduce heavy or prolonged exposure.
Fire Stats:
- Acres burned: 228,670 acres
- Personnel on scene: 5,115
- Completed containment line: 96.7 miles
- States supplying fire personnel: 42 and the District of Columbia
- Square miles of burned forest: 348.1
- Fire retardant dropped on fire: 1.7 million gallons
- Water dropped on fire: 1.4 million gallons
- Hot meals served: 36,766 breakfasts and 34,395 dinners
- Pounds of firefighter laundry washed: 11,643