Markleeville, CA…The now 6,500 acre Washington Fire has now closed Hwy 4 over the summit and has evacuation orders in some of the campgrounds and evacuation readiness orders in the Markeleeville area. We drove over the pass late last night and it was well on the south side of Hwy 4. There has been rapid expansion of the fire today and spotting across Hwy 4 necessitating the closure…

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.

Steep rocky terrain, lack of vehicle access, and heavy timber with numerous downfalls are hampering firefighting progress.

Rapid rate of spread, crowning and spotting, and wind-driven fire runs through critically dry fuels.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued over the fire area due to gusty winds to 40 mph and low relative humidity of less than 15 percent for Sunday until 10 p.m.

Air and ground units are engaged in suppression activities on the indicent.

The fire management will be transitioned to a Type II Incident Command Team Sunday for safety, tactical and strategic purposes.

The fire has reached Wolf Creek Rd.

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.