American Fire Reaches 35% Containment: Smoke Very Evident From Entire Region

Aug 20, 2013 - UPDATE - 8:45am:

Latest American Fire News Release: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/article/3624/20488/

Current Size: 14,990 acres Containment: 54 percent Structures

Aug 19, 2013 - UPDATE - 9:25am:

The American Fire burning in heavy fuels on extreme slopes about 10 air miles northeast of the community of Foresthill, California, and eight air miles south of Interstate 80 has grown to 14,765 acres.

A Fire Weather Watch issued by the National Weather Service continues this morning, August 19, through Wednesday evening, August 21. Changing weather patterns and predicted thunderstorm activity are likely to affect fire behavior, potential for new fire starts, and smoke dispersal patterns. A Red Flag warning is in place.

American Fire INCIDENT OUTLOOK: Today fire behavior was moderate. Tonight’s predicted thunderstorms and erratic winds may produce more surface fire on the ridgetops and increase the potential for torching and short crown runs.

Full suppression efforts remain in progress, and fire officials are watching the weather closely. Thunderstorms predicted over the next few days may bring additional complexity and increase the potential for new starts.

Fire and Status Info: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3624
Photos: http://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe
American Fire Closure Area Map
American Fire Progression Information

Aug 18, 2013 - UPDATE - 10:20am:

The American fire remains at 45% containment and has grown to 12,950 acres 30 miles west of Lake Tahoe. The number of firefighters and personnel has increased to 1,433 in the burn area eight miles from the community of Foresthill, Ca. Feeding the fire are extreme slopes, dry conditions, and heavy fuels that haven't burned in decades. Smoke from the fire has encompassed the entire North Lake Tahoe region. The estimated containment date is in 10 days on Aug 28th.

INCIDENT UPDATE: Thunderstorms predicted over the next few days may bring additional complexity and increase the potential for new starts. The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch beginning Monday morning, August 19, through Wednesday evening, August 21. Changing weather patterns are likely to affect fire behavior and smoke dispersal patterns. Fire status and information: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3624

Aug 17, 2013 - UPDATE - 8:50am:

The American fire has burned 11,950 acres 30 miles west of Lake Tahoe. The amount of firefighters on the scene in the heavily forested Deadwood Ridge area, northeast of Foresthill, CA., has increased from 1,226 to 1,396.

The American Fire is burning in heavy fuels on extreme slopes about eight miles from the community of Foresthill, California and has grown to 11,950 acres. The fire is burning in the Westville Fire (2008) area generally located on the north of the Foreshill Divide Road into the Whisky Hill area. Fire status and information: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3624/

The fire is 45% contained.

Photos of the American Fire can be seen here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe

Aug 16, 2013 - UPDATE - 7:45am:

The American fire has burned 7,367 acres 30 miles west of Lake Tahoe. Almost 1230 firefighters are on the scene in the heavily forested Deadwood Ridge area, northeast of Foresthill, CA.

Fire Behavior: The fire will continue to grow today. It is currently moving toward the American Hill Road moving roughly northeast. The alignment of topography and the predicted weather pattern are contributing to fire movement.

The containment has decreased from 35% to 31%.

Currently, wind pattern is 7-15 mph NE. Expect the fire's heavy smoke to spread from Lake Tahoe to Reno.

Go here for up to the minute fire status and information: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3624/

Incident Overview:

Effective August 16, 2013, an emergency closure order is in place for portions of National Forest System lands within and adjacent to the American Fire. A map and description of the closed area can be obtained at Tahoe National Forest offices as well as online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe

The American fire is burning in heavy fuels, on very steep slopes. Access to the fire area is limited.

The heavy fuels are creating large amounts of smoke. Smoke is a significant issue for the Sierra Foothills, Tahoe area, and Sacramento Valley. An air quality warning has been issued for Placer county. Those planning to visit area campgrounds and other recreation sites may experience intermittent heavy smoke. Smoky conditions may last for several days.

Fire officials are establishing an incident base known as a spike camp in the Greek Store area off of Mosquito Ridge Road to enable easier access to the southeast end of the fire.

A 10,000 gallon water tank and a 10,000 gallon mobile retardant plant to aid with helicopter suppression operations has been established at the Blue Canyon Airport just south of Interstate 80.

The fire is located about 10 miles northeast of Foresthill in the Tahoe National Forest. The fire has burned across the North Fork Middle Fork American River and is burning both up and down the river drainage.

The potential for fire growth is high due to the heavy fuels, steep slopes (up to 150 percent), predicted temperatures, and low humidities. One mining structure was destroyed and there have been two minor injuries to date.

The community of Foresthill is not threatened.