Firefighters gain upper hand on the Trailhead Fire; 5,595 acres burned and 60% contained

Firefighting officials expect the Trailhead Fire burning west of Lake Tahoe to be fully contained by Saturday, July 9. So far, the fire has burned 5,595 since it started on June 28. It is now 60 percent contained.

All mandatory evacuations have been lifted over the fire evacuation area.

Some firefighting personnel are being pulled off the fire, and more are expected to leave in the next couple of days, leaving some to continue mop up.

The fire was quiet overnight, with lines holding well as crews monitored and mopped up as it was safe to do so. Crews on the southwest corner continued to carefully bring fire across the slope and down toward the river. By this morning, they had doubled the depth of the line, considerably lessening the chance of fire escaping containment. They continued to strengthen that line today, with some firing operations as needed to meet that goal. They worked with crews across the river to monitor and hold the line in the steep river canyon.