Smoke continues to fill Lake Tahoe Basin: Chance of rain in forecast

The Feguson fire burning west of Yosemite continues to send smoke into the Lake Tahoe Basin. Since starting on July 13, the fire has consumed 22,892 acres and containment remains at 7 percent. It is burning in steep, hard to access terrain.

Several areas around Highway 140 reamin under mandatory evacuations and evacuation advisories.

2,711 personnel, including firefighters from South Lake Tahoe, are currently engaged on the fire which includes 203 engines, 39 water tenders, 16 helicopters, 58 handcrews, and 41 dozers.

Smoke from the fire is expected for at least the next two days.

On the weather side of things, atmospheric moisture will be on the increase through the weekend so a chance of thunderstorms could become quite wet and capable of producing heavy rainfall and flash flooding concerns due to potential training storms, ample moisture, and increased instability in Northern Nevada and the Sierra.

Thunderstorm coverage and activity will increase Saturday and Sunday with the main threats being flash flooding, hail, and abundant lightning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

The forecast from NWS:

Today - Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Widespread haze. Widespread smoke. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight - Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Widespread haze before 11pm. Widespread smoke before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday - A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Widespread haze after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. West wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night - A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11pm. Widespread haze before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.

Sunday - A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Sunday Night - A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Monday - A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Monday Night - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Tuesday - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Sunny, with a high near 86.

Tuesday Night - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 86.

Wednesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

ThursdaySunny, with a high near 88.