Water drop on spot fire. Photo from USFS.
5:30PM UPDATE: The spot fire east of Hwy 395 near Holbrook Junction has been growing rapidly despite firefighters’ diligent efforts to contain it. Aerial resources estimated the spot at about 2,500 acres as of 4:10 p.m. Firefighters on the ground and aircraft continue to battle the growing spot under exceptionally difficult weather and fuel conditions.
4:10PM UPDATE: The Tamarack Fire has jumped US395. Evacuations have been issued for all residents in the Topaz Ranch Estates and Topaz Lake areas. All residents are being asked to evacuate to Smith Valley High School.
Emergency warnings are being sent to cell phones. Do not wait for emergency personnel to come to your door, although deputies are in the area asking residents to leave the area now. Highway 395 is now closed from China Springs Rd. to the NV/CA state line, and at 395 and SR208.
mjacobson@tahoedailytribune.com
A view Thursday afternoon from the Ridge Tahoe. The basin has mostly escaped wildfire smoke but the Carson Valley is suffering. (Provided / Alertwildfire.org)
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. The Tamarack Fire continues to rage but so far it hasn’t crossed a key highway that would provide a greater threat to Lake Tahoe.
Officials said the fire has been active due to extremely dry fuels and grew by about 10,000 acres from Wednesday into Thursday. The blaze has grown to 50,129 based on infrared mapping. It’s 4% contained, the first bit of containment since the fire exploded out of control on Friday, July 16.
A 2,500-acre spot fire north of Holbrook Junction spawned by the Tamarack Fire is burning on the east side of Highway 395.
With fire on both sides of Highway 395, Topaz Ranch Estates is essentially cut off rom Carson Valley.
Douglas County deputies and members of the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team went door to door in Topaz Ranch Estates again on Thursday afternoon to urge residents to evacuate.
With a population of 1,200 people TRE is the largest community to be threatened by the fire, so far.
Power is out to 824 NV Energy homes and businesses in the south county community.
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