PLACER COUNTY, Calif. (KCBS RADIO) – Following a shift in the wind, the Mosquito Fire in Northern California erupted Tuesday afternoon, threatening a mountain community and burning multiple homes.
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The fire, which broke out last Tuesday on Mosquito Road and OxBow Reservoir east of Foresthill in Placer County, is now the largest wildfire in California at 58,544 acres with 20% containment.
Thick smoke and clouds from the blaze settled over Tahoe National Forest over the weekend, keeping temperatures in the 70s to 80s with relatively high humidity. However, southwest winds hit the area Tuesday, breaking up the smoke and fueling the fire with more oxygen, causing the fire to make a break for Foresthill in Placer County, CAL FIRE reported.
"The Mosquito Fire spotted across the Middle Fork of the American River into the Pond Creek Drainage, which is just below the community of Foresthill. Steep terrain and critically dry fuels drove rapid fire growth and an aggressive upslope run towards Foresthill Road," officials wrote in an update.
Crews are battling the blaze by establishing in-direct control lines between the eastern front of the fire and Last Chance. Tuesday night, CAL FIRE was successful in containing the edge of the blaze as it spread towards Foresthill.
According to fire officials, crews have been struggling to access the fire in the east and south due to difficult terrain.
Since the fire broke out, thousands of people have been evacuated throughout Placer County and some areas of El Dorado County. For specific locations, residents can check CAL FIRE's incident page.
El Dorado National Forest, Tahoe National Forest and roads leading in and out of the parks have been closed. 64 structures have been destroyed, while approximately 5,848 more are threatened.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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