Fire Update: Smoke to return to the basin tonight; Fires continue to burn across the sierras
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Fri, 08/20/2021 - 11:10am
Tonight, Carson City residents and beyond can expect the smoke to return from the Caldor Fire, as surface winds shift and a degradation in air quality will continue into Saturday and possibly continue throughout the weekend.
The AQI forecast for this afternoon/evening in Carson City is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, while Saturday’s AQI forecast is Unhealthy for Everyone.
The current size of the Dixie Fire is at 700,630 acres as of Friday morning, with a total of 5,700 personnel helping to fight it. It is contained at 35 percent, and there is an estimated containment date of Sept. 30.
The cause of the fire is still unknown at this time.
The Dixie Fire started on July 13, and is burning across three National forests and four counties. On July 22, the Fly Fire was reported and eventually the two fires merged into one.
As of Friday morning, the Dixie Fire remained active overnight in the West Zone, which included both single and group tree torching along the active ground fire. Humidity rose enough to limit fire progression in the early morning hours. Fuel moistures are historically low.
In the East Zone, aircraft with retardant, dozers, and crews maintained aggressive engagement on the portion of the fire near Janesville. Firefighters are being challenged by spots outside the line as well as steep, inaccessible terrain. Fire continues to back down the hill on the north side of Genesee Valley. All available resources are improving lines around structures and preparing to conduct point protection.
For more information on the Dixie Fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7690/#
— The Caldor Fire is burning at 73,415 acres with 1,118 personnel fighting to contain it. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
The Caldor Fire began on Saturday. Aug. 14 at approximately 7 p.m., and no containment percentage is listed at this time.
There are numerous mandatory evacuation orders right now for El Dorado County, as well as evacuation warnings in El Dorado and Amador Counties.
An estimated containment date is predicted for Aug. 31.
According to the report, throughout the night there was active fire with short range spotting and rollout was still occurring in steep drainages from fire weakened timber. With historic drought conditions, there is heavy dead and down fuels through the fire area.
The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing a temporary closure of nine national forests, effective Aug. 22 through Sept. 6. The Closure Order Can Be Found At https://go.usa.gov/xf7em
For more information on the Caldor Fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7801/
— On Aug. 14, the Cold Fire was discovered, and is one of several fires burning in Yosemite National Park, which was caused by lighting.
According to the report, the fire is “being managed with a confine and contain strategy.” The fire is currently burning at 6.6 acres.
