Fork Fire 1,752 acres and 61% contained

The Fork Fire burning west of Lake Tahoe, north of Pollock Pines continues to be 1,752 acres in size but is now 61 percent contained. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 has been in command of the Fork Fire since September 11 and will be handing that duty over to another team on Thursday, September 24.

The containment lines are to the north, east and south sides of the Fork Fire and fire continues to burn in the steep Rubicon drainage area.

351 personnel are assigned to the fire at this time.

The Fork Fire started in the Crystal Basin near Gerle Creek under critical fire weather conditions and was driven by east winds gusting 30-50 miles per hour on September 8.

Cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Other California fires of note:

The Slink Fire, which was reported on August 29, is burning in the Slinkard Valley southwest of Topaz Lake. It is burning in Ponderosa Pine, Pinyon-Juniper and mixed conifer and was a result of lightning in the area. The fire has grown to 26,752 acres, with 84 percent containment. There are no evacuations or highway closures.

The Creek Fire continues to burn on both sides of the San Joaquin River near Mammoth Pool, Shaver Lake, Big Creek and Huntington Lake. The fire, which started on September 4, is 278,368 acres and 25 percent contained. The fire is slowly progressing to the northeast toward rock bluffs and other natural fire barriers. Strategies are in place for the northern flank and the community of Mammoth Lake; the fire edge is still 10-12 miles from Mammoth Mountain. There are still several evacuation orders in place and they can be found here https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7147/56446/. The cause is under investigation.

The lightning caused North Complex Fire is now 293,843 acres and is 64 percent contained. Orders and Advisories are still in place for communities in Butte, Plumas, and Yuba Counties. 3,099 personnel are on the fire and it has cost $91,359,122 to fight the fire, to date.

South Zone: Firing operations along the Pacific Crest Trail have been completed and night shift will be nearing completion along the dozer line that parallels LaPorte Road. This firing needs to be completed and secured before there is repopulation of Little Grass Valley and the Community of LaPorte.

North Zone: Ignitions were not favorable for the day shift along Grizzly Big Creek but the night shift will have the conditions to carry out the firing operations. A portion of Red Mountain Road was lit earlier today and firing operations will continue into tonight.

For details on closures and evacuations, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6997/.