Region Fire Updates; smoke still expected in the Lake Tahoe basin

8/30/13 6:50 am update: South Lake Tahoe enjoyed a blue sky day on Thursday but smoke from fhe Rim Fire filled the basin by afternoon. A low pressure system moving in from the northwest may cause more smoke to make its way into the area today as winds are coming from the southwest. The Rim fire has now burned 201,894 acres and is now 32% contained. Firefighters will be constructing contingency lines in advance of the communities of Tuolumne City, Twain Harte, and Long Barn.
8/29/13 7:00 am update: The Rim Fire is now listed as 30% contained and has burned 192,737 acres. There are now 4,840 personnel on the scene. Containment isn't expected for 3 weeks.

8/28/13 7:00 am update: The Rim Fire has now burned 187,466 and is 23% contained. At this point in time it is listed as the 7th largest fire in California History.

Rim Fire Northern California Smoke Information Updates

8/27/13 California Fire Update at 8:45 am: Smoke is still covering the Lake Tahoe basin as well as the Carson City and Reno areas. The Rim Fire is 20% contained and has burned 179,481 acres so far. There are now over 3,600 personnel on the scene. The American Fire is now 88% contained and has burned 24,935 acres. Watch this stunning video from the cockpit of a California Air National Guard plane as it goes by the Rim Fire.

8/26/13 Rim Fire Update #15 - 8:00 PM

Wildfires near Yosemite National Park in northern California. August 24. pic.twitter.com/J085aHdb7x— Karen L. Nyberg (@AstroKarenN) August 24, 2013

8/25/13 1:45 pm update: The Rim fire burning out of control north of Yosemite has now covered 133,980 acres and is now 7% contained. At the scene the humidity has increased to 58% which is much better conditions for fighting the fire as they've seen all week. Firefighters have gained control on the fire's movement to the west, preventing it from going up the Highway 108 corridor but the fire continues to grow to the north and northeast. To date, 23 structures have been burned, there have been 2 injuries and the cost of fighting the Rim fire is $12.4 million.

Most of the evacuated residents that were forced to leave their homes due to the Rim fire near Yosemite were allowed back into their homes Saturday evening.

As of 3:15 pm on Saturday, August 25, the Rim Fire was listed at 5% contained and has burned a total of 125,620 acres along the northern edge of Yosemite. Fire behavior remained moderately active overnight. Heavy fuels continued to actively burn and consume completely. Fire behavior in lighter fuels were minimal due to humidity recovery during the overnight hours.

Smoke is still expected to affect the Lake Tahoe, Carson City and Reno regions for at least another day.

There is concern by San Francisco Utilities Commission officials that ash from the fire will get into the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir which supplies drinking water to 2.6 million consumers. If ash were to fall in the reservoir the water quality standards would be violated.

The American Fire which began on August 10 is now 67% contained and has burned a total of 22,040 acres. There are still 1,614 firefighters on the scene to get complete containment. The areas burned have no previous fire history and have not burned in more than 100 years. Consumption is in heavy fuels which are producing single and group tree torching with active smouldering and creeping in ground fuels. Crews have begun repairing areas damaged by firefighting activity. Due to increased containment excessive personnel are being released.

The Empire Fire, in Georgetown, CA, which started Saturday afternoon is 35% contained and had burned 45 acres as of 6:53 pm. The fire caused some evacuations and has burned 2 structures, but many residents are being allowed back due to the quick containment expected later tonight.