Potential wildland fire smoke impact on Death Ride south of Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Fri, 07/16/2021 - 2:09pm
7:00PM UPDATE: The Death Ride has been canceled due to the Tamarack Fire.
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The Alpine County Health Officer Dr. Richard Johnson has said smoke from several fires is now visible over Markleeville, Monitor Pass and Ebbetts Pass, all locations of Saturday's 40th annual Death Ride.
The fires include the Henry Fire, which is now reported to be 1,040 acres, and the Tamarack Fire. Air quality sensors in Markleeville report P 2.5 levels between 50-100, which puts these levels in the “Moderate” range. Actual levels at higher elevations over the passes are likely to be higher, said Dr. Johnson.
"It is difficult to predict conditions for the race tomorrow," said Dr. Johnson in a press release Friday. "However, it is safe to say there will still be smoke at some level still blowing through the area on Saturday."
The current levels of smoke affect unusually sensitive people, and may not include anyone riding in the Death Ride. Spectators or volunteers may fall into the small group of affected people.
To view current data, go to:
https://www.purpleair.com/map?opt=1/mAQI/a10/cC0#11/38.6738/-119.6847
https://fire.airnow.gov/?lat=38.905446399999995&lng=-119.7473792&zoom=10