Washington Fire in Alpine County prompts Dense Smoke Advisory for much of region
A Dense Smoke Advisory until 5 a.m. Monday morning has been issued by the National Weather Service due to smoke from the Washington Fire burning south of Markleeville in Alpine County, Calif. As of 4:30 Sunday afternoon the fire had burned 6,500 acres.
Impacted locations likely to get the brunt of smoke include Smith Valley, Mason Valley and Antelope Valley. The advisory area covers Carson City, Carson Valley, Lake Tahoe and Truckee areas, as well as Mineral and Southern Lyon counties, Virginia City, Hawthorne, Yerington, Smith Valley, Mina, Schurz, Sparks and Reno.
Lyon County Emergency Management urges the public to:
— Be cautious and aware of reduced visibility when driving. Be aware of pedestrians and bicycles.
— Consult with your healthcare provider if you have respiratory health issues.
— Check on family and friends that have respiratory health issues to ensure they are OK.
— Stay indoors if the smoke is affecting your health.
Lyon County will be monitoring this incident and will alert the public if there any changes, said Lyon County Manager Jeff Page.
The fire has grown to 6,500 acres and has forced the closure of Highway 89, from Monitor Pass to Highway 395 as well as Highway 4, according to the latest from Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch.
A spot fire on the West side of Hwy 4 has required an evacuation from the river up to the north end of Markleeville. Two, Type 1 strike team of engines have been ordered. Right now, it is a high priority to protect the town of Markleeville. The fire has moved through to the north side of Hwy 89, and is now in the Bagley Valley.
The entire fire area is under extreme winds. The fire is continuing short uphill runs and single tree/group torching.
Hwy 4 is closed, all visitors/campers from wolfcreek to the top of Ebbitts Pass have been evacuated.
5 residences are threatened and evacuated, 15 historic cabins threatened. No evacuation center set-up at this time. Wind from South, fire is burning NE direction.
- Carson City
- 395
- Afternoon
- Alert
- Alpine
- Alpine County
- carson
- center
- City
- closed
- county
- Driving
- Emergency
- Emergency Management
- Family
- fire
- friends
- Health
- healthcare
- highway
- Highway 395
- historic
- Lake
- Latest
- lyon county
- monitoring
- Morning
- Moved
- National Weather Service
- News
- public
- service
- Sierra
- Smoke
- south
- Sparks
- tahoe
- Truckee
- Virginia City
- Washington
- weather
- weather service
- wind
- Yerington
- Carson Valley
- Lake Tahoe
- reno