Tamarack Fire PM Update, Sunday, July 18, 2021

Carson Ranger District (Sunday, July 18, 2021 at 8 p.m.)

• Acres: 18,299

• Location: Markleeville, California

• Start Date: July 4, 2021

• Cause: Lightning

• Containment: 0%

• Personnel: 796

Current Activity: The fire is estimated at 18,299 acres with no containment reported. An infrared-equipped plane is scheduled to fly the fire overnight, to provide more accurate information about the fire’s size and location.

Firefighters worked on the west flank of the fire today to protect structures by clearing brush and using other point protection tactics. They also put in line from Highway 89 east to Diamond Valley Road to slow the fire’s spread. They will continue to work tomorrow to improve this line. Crews have also secured the area around Markleeville and will continue mop up tomorrow to extinguish any remaining hot spots. On the east edge of the fire, crews are working around the Carson River Ranch area and the Shay Creek and Grover Hot Springs areas, putting in containment line and extinguishing hot spots.

Evacuations: Markleeville, Grover Hot Springs and campground area, Shay Creek, Marklee Village, Alpine Village, Woodfords, East Fork Resort and the community of Hung A Lel Ti are under evacuation.

Closures: Highway 89 is closed at the intersection of Highway 4 and 89. Highway 4 is open west of the Highway 89 and Highway 4 junction. Please slow down and drive with caution in the area as fire crews continue to work. Refer to https://roads.dot.ca.gov/ for closure specifics.

The Pacific Crest Trail is closed between Carson Pass (Highway 88) and Ebbetts Pass (Highway 4). Please find locations away from the fire area for your recreation opportunities.

Smoke: Heavy smoke grounded all firefighting aircraft today. Active fire behavior and growth of the Tamarack Fire will continue to impact Carson Valley and surrounding areas with smoke and moderate ash fall. Individuals with compromised respiratory systems are encouraged to limit outdoor exposure, if possible.

 Fire Information:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7674/

• Facebook: @HumboldtToiyabeNF #TamarackFire

• Twitter: @HumboldtToiyabe #TamarackFire

• Fire Information Number: 775-446-5438

 Incident Management Team: Incident Management Team: Rocky Mountain Team 1 (IC-Dallas), a Type 1 organization, has been ordered for the Tamarack Fire due to the increasing complexity of the incident. Team 1 will be in-briefed Monday and will assume command of the fire from Great Basin Team 3 (IC-Bollier) on Tuesday.

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