Many evacuees returning home as 76,290 acre Mosquito Fire gets 38% containment

A large number of evacuees from the Mosquito Fire were allowed back home today. The fire now has a containment line around 38% of the fire, and it is 76,290 acres in size. 3,722 personnel remain assigned to the fire.

Evacuation orders were lifted with the significant increase in containment and tireless work by firefighters and cooperators to ensure that communities would be safe for repopulation. Both the Placer and El Dorado County Sheriff Offices downgraded many of the Evacuation Orders and Warnings in their perspective counties this afternoon.

See current Placer County evacuation map: placer.ca.gov/evacuations.

People Evacuated: 8,290
Structures Threatened: 9,236
Total Structures Destroyed: 78

Rain showers covered most of the fire area throughout the day. The cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and wet conditions subdued fire activity around the fire. Firefighters took advantage of these slower fire conditions
to construct direct control lines along portions of the fire’s edge on the eastern flank. Firefighters with hand tools and heavy equipment, such as dozers, were out in force constructing these control lines. Crews worked
in the area of the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River as well as the Interbay Road. Despite the rain showers, crews were able to successfully conduct firing operations along Interbay Road and connecting control lines due to the sustained dry fuel moisture in the vegetation. Firefighters were able to continue strengthening and holding control lines around the southeast corner near Stumpy Meadows.

A majority of the aircraft assigned to the incident were able to be used throughout the day. Aircraft primarily focused on assisting the ground crews on the eastern flank of the fire. Helicopters were actively engaged in
both water and retardant-dropping missions. These air operations are a great resource for ground crews to knock down hot spots and reinforce control lines with retardant to stop the fire’s progression.

Heavier rains and continued southwest winds are forecasted overnight and into Monday. A possibility of scattered thunderstorms may occur Tuesday. Firefighters will continue direct and indirect line construction along the eastern flank of the fire. Crews will patrol and mop up all existing containment lines along the southern and western flanks to ensure there are no threats to life and property in those communities.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.