American Fire Grows in Rugged Area of Tahoe National Forest, Auburn Air Smoky

See the current U.S. Forest Incident Report

Monday Coverage:  Fire in Tahoe National Forest Continues to Grow

Updated at 8:30 p.m. - Firefighters making progress

Firefighters are making progress in attacking the American Fire burning in the Deadwood Ridge area in the Tahoe National Forest. The current fire size is estimated at 1,900 acres.

Tuesday afternoon air tankers dropped retardant in the American Fire Deadwood Ridge area to aid ground crews with suppression activities.

The fire is approximately 17 miles northeast of Foresthill, and the Foresthill community is not in danger.

Smoke is affecting air quality in a wide area surrounding the fire area: the Highway 80 corridor, Lake Tahoe Basin, the Sacramento Valley, and the surrounding foothills. Officials are advising people to take appropriate precautions concerning smoke, as it is likely to continue over the next several days. Several counties have issued air quality advisories.

Those planning to visit area campgrounds and other recreation sites may experience intermittent heavy smoke, especially in the evening and early morning hours. Smoke from this fire has not affected areas south of the Tahoe National Forest, such as the Eldorado and Stanislaus national forests.

The fire is burning in steep terrain in heavy timber in an area that has not burned in several decades, which is contributing to the heavy smoke.

People are being asked to stay out of the fire area for their own safety and the safety of firefighting personnel.

Approximately 540 Forest Service and Cal Fire personnel are assigned to the fire, including 20 hand crews, 13 engines, 11 water tenders, six helicopters, two dozers, and air tankers as available. Ground resources are staffing the fire at night.

Firefighter and public safety are the first priorities. Firefighters are working to protect historic resources from the fire and from suppression impacts.

The Forest, the timber industry, local agencies, and private landowners are collaborating to establish a strategy and tactics to minimize impacts on resources under contract, special uses under permit, and local communities.

Updated at 9:30 a.m. - From the U.S. Forest Service Incident Report:

The American fire is burning in heavy fuels on very steep slopes. The heavy fuels are creating large amounts of smoke The fire is located about 17 miles northeast of Foresthill in the Tahoe National Forest. Access to the fire is limited adding to the difficulty in fighting this fire. Firefighter safety is a concern.

Fire size is estimated at 1750 acres. The fire has burned across the North Fork Middle Fork American River and is burning both up and down the river drainage. The fire is being actively fought both directly and indirectly.

Multiple Forest Service and Cal Fire personnel are assigned to the fire. Currently 318 resources have been assigned including 18 crews, 16 engines, 4 helicopters, 5 dozers, 4 watertenders, and air tankers as available.

The Central Coast #7 Type II Incident Management Team has assumed managment of the fire.

Smoke is expected to impact Foresthill, Auburn, Nevada City, the valley and other areas for several days.

Perimeter of the American Fire (in red) at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. (Google Earth)

Click for current smoke map

Basic Information - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday:

Current Situation

Outlook

Current Weather