Tamarack Fire Saturday AM Update…Now 6,600 Acres, 0% Contained, Portions of Hwys 89 & 4 Closed

Markleeville, CA…The Tamarack Fire burned actively through the night and has consumed 6,600 acres. The fire continues to burn in a northerly direction backing towards Highway 89 south of Markleeville towards the Carson River. The fire is 0% contained. Highway 89 is closed at the intersection of Highway 4 and 89. Highway 4 is currently open west of the Highway 89 and Highway 4 junction. The public is reminded to drive with caution in the area as fire crews and equipment will be arriving throughout the day. Please refer to https://roads.dot.ca.gov/ for closure specifics.

Today, firefighters will continue to utilize aviation resources to support handline construction where they can safely do so to minimize the spread of the fire towards areas of unburned fuels and structures. In addition, structure protection fire engines from the local area with support from wildland fire engines will continue to suppress the fire as it encroaches into the community of Markleeville and the surrounding areas. A local hotshot crew will utilize suppression tactics to take advantage of natural barriers and areas of opportunity to increase the containment throughout the burning period. Additional suppression resources have been ordered and will be arriving throughout the day to support the firefighting efforts.

Tamarack Fire AM Update

Tamarack Fire Wildfire
News – 15 min. ago

Tamarack Fire 

Carson Ranger District (Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 9:30 AM)

• Acres: 6,600

• Location: Markleeville, California

• Start Date: July 4, 2021

• Cause: Lightning

• Containment: 0%

• Personnel: 75

Current Activity: The Tamarack Fire burned actively through the night and has consumed 6,600 acres. The fire continues to burn in a northerly direction backing towards Highway 89 south of Markleeville towards the Carson River. The fire is 0% contained.

Today, firefighters will continue to utilize aviation resources to support handline construction where they can safely do so to minimize the spread of the fire towards areas of unburned fuels and structures. In addition, structure protection fire engines from the local area with support from wildland fire engines will continue to suppress the fire as it encroaches into the community of Markleeville and the surrounding areas. A local hotshot crew will utilize suppression tactics to take advantage of natural barriers and areas of opportunity to increase the containment throughout the burning period. Additional suppression resources have been ordered and will be arriving throughout the day to support the firefighting efforts.

Evacuations: The community of Markleeville, Grover Hot Springs and campground area, Shay Creek, Markleevillage and East Fork Resort are under current evacuation.

Closures: Highway 89 is closed at the intersection of Highway 4 and 89. Highway 4 is currently open west of the Highway 89 and Highway 4 junction. The public is reminded to drive with caution in the area as fire crews and equipment will be arriving throughout the day. Please refer to https://roads.dot.ca.gov/ for closure specifics.

Smoke: With active burning throughout the night and predicted fire activity today, the Carson Valley and surrounding areas may be impacted by the smoke and light ash fall in the throughout the day and into the evening hours.

Fire Information:  

• Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4845

• Facebook: @HumboldtToiyabeNF #TamarackFire

• Twitter: @HumboldtToiyabe #TamarackFire

• Fire Information Number: 775-430-5103

Incident Management Team: A Type 2 Great Basin Incident Team #3 (IC-Bollier) has been ordered and will arrive on scene today.

Source = USFS