Tamarack Fire shuts down Highway 395 in south Douglas County; evacuation in Topaz Lake area
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 07/21/2021 - 5:45pm
UPDATE: Voluntary evacuations were issued late Wednesday night for all residents in the Topaz Ranch Estates and Topaz Lake areas. Residents were asked to evacuate to Smith Valley High School. Highway 395 is now closed from China Springs Rd. to the NV/CA state line, and at 395 and SR208.
The TRE evacuation center is being closed due to the fire. Smith Valley High School is at 20 Day Lane, Smith, Nev. This site has room for 40 small animals, please bring cages or carriers and food.
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UPDATE 9:40PM: The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has closed all areas, campgrounds, trails, and roads on the Carson Ranger District located within the boundaries of the Tamarack Fire. Also, at this time, Hung A Lel Ti residents may choose to begin returning to their homes, per Washoe Tribal Emergency Operation Center.
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UPDATE 7:10PM: There are reports, via Douglas County dispatch scanner traffic, that the fire jumped Highway 395 and that crews were able to get to spot fires before they took hold. Meanwhile, the U.S. Forest Service reports the fire has grown to 43,900 acres.
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The Tamarack Fire crossed into Douglas County earlier Wednesday and has forced the closure of Highway 395 between State Route 208 and China Springs Road.
As of Wednesday afternoon around 40,000 acres have burned. There are 1,200 personnel working the fire, which started July 4, one of several lightning fire starts that happened.
On Wednesday, the fire moved east into Douglas County. Voluntary evacuations were declared Tuesday night for Leviathan Mine Road and Holbrook Junction areas in Douglas County.
According to dispatch, firefighters are working structure protection in the area of Leviathan Mine Road as of early Wednesday evening.
The Forest Service issued an update at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. It reads:
Fire activity has increased on the Tamarack Fire this afternoon. In Division F, firefighters are reporting winds out of the northwest. The fire is still south of the CA-88 road and west of the CA-89 road. Crews will continue to work in this area to keep the fire from crossing the road.
In Division O, the fire has advanced further to the east and has reached the dozer line behind the Spring Valley Subdivision. Firefighters are currently holding the fire on the dozer line. Flames are visible from the highway. Due to an increase in fire traffic and fire firefighters working in the area, Hwy 395 has been closed. Crews have been establishing indirect fireline as a means to protect structures along the highway.
A spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service confirmed Wednesday afternoon the fire moved into Douglas County and other areas in the fire perimeter and was burning what had previously not burned.
"With the fuels the way they are, the fire picked up throughout with lots of visual burning today," the spokesman said.
The fire remains 0 percent contained and 10 structures were confirmed burned.
Evacuation Locations:
— TRE Community Center, 3939 Carter Dr. Wellington, Nev.
— Douglas County Community and Senior Center (Pet friendly), 1329 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville
Evacuation location for large animals, livestock:
The Carson City Fairgrounds at Fuji Park. The park cannot shelter small domestic pets such as dogs and cats. Please provide food for your livestock, as it will not be provided by the facility. It is also encouraged to bring water buckets if possible.
Other evacuations:
On Tuesday, Alpine County Sheriff’s Office ordered new mandatory evacuations for the Blue Lakes Road area and the Mesa Vista area Monday. 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 still under evacuation orders.
Road Closures:
— Highway 395 between State Route 208 and China Springs Road in Douglas County.
— SR-88 is closed between Pickett's Junction and Stateline, according to CHP. Find alternate routes.
— 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.
For fire information see:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7674/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamarackfireinfo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Douglascountynv
Twitter: @HumboldtToiyabe
