A wildfire near South Lake Tahoe and the California-Nevada border has now burned over 50,000 acres, prompting additional evacuations and road closures nearby.
The Tamarack Fire was 4% contained as of Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service at Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It had burned 50,129 acres, forcing over 800 people to evacuate their homes. Over 500 structures were threatened by the fires.
The fire crossed U.S. Highway 395 on Thursday afternoon, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation. Portions of State Route 208 closed Thursday afternoon as a result, and so did Highway 395 up to the California border.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office issued additional evacuations Thursday afternoon, this time for residents near Topaz Lake.
A July 4 lightning strike in Markleeville started the Tamarack Fire, burning a single tree. Twelve days later, the Forest Service said a mix of low humidity and high winds caused the fire to explode after fire officials had determined there was little risk it would spread.
As of Thursday morning, the Forest Service estimated the fire would be contained by the end of August.
Related
