The raging Tamarack Fire in Alpine County south of Lake Tahoe is still at zero containment as of Tuesday morning.
The fire started July 4 near Markleeville and swelled Tuesday to more than 39,000 acres, according to the Incident Information System website.
Mesa Vista, Markleeville, Grover Hot Springs, Shay Creek, Alpine Village, Woodford, East Fork Resort, Marklee Village, and the Hung A Lel Ti community are all under evacuation orders.
Firefighters also closed part of Highway 88 and Highway 4.
Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team Public Information Officer Tracy LeClair said the Tamarack Fire began as a single tree burning after being hit by lightning on a rocky ravine. The fire took off on July 16 because of low humidity and high winds.
"We did get a little bit of rain on the fire last night, which helps with our humidity," said LeClair. "But it's now hot, windy and dry again so we will likely see more of the same fire behavior that we've seen over the last couple of days."
There are 1,069 personnel members on the ground tackling the fire as of Tuesday, said LeClair, with more resources expected to arrive as the day continues.
They're using 22 hand crews, 87 engines, three bulldozers and six water tenders, said LeClair. They also have nine helicopters, but high smoke levels have made it difficult to use them. LeClair said those conditions are likely to improve soon.
An air quality inspector will also be arriving Tuesday to analyze the smoke. "He'll do whatever magic to take some readings and get us that report," said LeClair, most likely later Tuesday or Wednesday morning.
