Firefighters to get help from incoming storm; Mosquito Fire at 73,381 acres, 21% contained

The wind on Saturday may have stirred up some smoke over the Mosquito Fire, but officials said it looked worse than it was. When the morning layer of smoke was blown out to the northeast, causing ventilation and the hot areas were fanned. The Mosquito Fire is 73,381 acres and 21% contained.

Even with the winds, crews made good headway with dozer and hand work along the eastern edge of the fire.

"It was an amazing piece of firefighting," said Operations Section Chief Dave Soldavini of the efforts at the southeast end of the fire.

There should be some rain hitting the fire after midnight Saturday, starting off about 72 hours of increased humidity and moisture.

"It should be a decent wetting rain," said Fire Behavior Analyst Jonathan Pangburn during the Saturday evening community briefing. He said the fuels, while they will benefit some from this weather system, are still quite dry. The wind could still cause fire over the ridges.

Some of the evacuated Placer County residents are now able to return home as the mandatory evacuation orders for Zone 12 of the fire have been lifted. Residents who have placed their animals at the Placer County Animal Shelter in Auburn or at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn may pick their animals up starting Sunday morning at 8 a.m.

El Dorado County residents in parts of Georgetown were able to repopulate Friday night. For a map of El Dorado County evacuations, visit https://eldoradocounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=bfbfd933f4254a0db4bdbb2ebe866c10.

For Placer County fire information - https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/07930e6e8f034ae4bba71e8bfedb2779/page/Current-Incidents/

Zone 12 residents may return home if in this area:
Zone 12 includes:
- Pine Ridge Road
- Moshiron Drive
- Shady Oaks Drive
- Pine Crest Drive
- Gas Canyon Court
- Quarry Turn Road
- Eagle Ridge Road
- Bella Vista Circle
- Portofino Drive
- La Brosa Place
- Rosarno Place
- Ampezo Place
- Porta Venare Court
- Santa Croce Court
- Portofino Court
- Butcher Ranch Road
- 16140 - 19491 Foresthill Road

Please keep in mind there is no gasoline available in Foresthill at this time, and Worton’s Market remains closed.