Evacuations have been ordered for the Tamarack Fire burning in Alpine County near Markleeville, the Alpine County Sheriff’s Office said.It had charred 18,299 acres and was 0% contained as of Sunday afternoon, according to the Humboldt-Toiyabe division for the U.S. Forest Service. Nearly 800 personnel are assigned to the fire. “You never expect it,” Henry Veatch said about having to leave his home in Alpine Village. “We got burned out in the same place in 1987, and you’re never really expecting it. What we were happy about is that we had a little time to pack up some valuables.”After the Veatch family lost their home in a fire in 1987, they rebuilt on the property and have been living there ever since.”We’re just biding our time now, trying to get back in,” Veatch said.Officials said the blaze is threatening about 200 homes, and they estimate about 10 have already been burned. When lightning sparked the fire two weeks ago, officials said they were monitoring it. Then, it exploded after a windy Friday. KCRA 3 asked why crews waited before going in.”There were multiple. I think they had 23 fires that were started,” said Nate Leising with the U.S. Forest Service. He said they had to prioritize and said the Tamarack Fire was not a threat to people or homes at the time.”The fire was monitored all the time. They did it with cameras and they flew it, so it’s not like they just left it. It’s been watched,” he said.The 2021 Tour of the California Alps – Death Ride has also been canceled due to the blaze.EVACUATION ORDERSOfficials said on Friday that the area of Markleeville and communities to the south are under mandatory evacuation orders. These areas include: MarkleevilleGrover Hot Springs and campground areaShay CreekMarklee VillageAlpine VillageWoodfordsEast Fork ResortThe community of Hung A Lel TiThe Mesa area has been listed under a voluntary evacuation.People can sign up for emergency notifications here. ROAD CLOSURESHighway 89 is closed at the intersection of highways 4 and 89.Highway 4 is open west of the Highway 89 and Highway 4 junction.The Pacific Crest Trail between State Route 88 and Highway 4 has been closed. EVACUATION CENTERS On Saturday, the evacuation center was moved to the Douglas County Senior Center by Lampe Park in Gardnerville.FIRE OUTLOOK Heavy smoke grounded all firefighting aircraft Sunday. “Active fire behavior and growth of the Tamarack Fire will continue to impact Carson Valley and surrounding areas with smoke and moderate ash fall,” the U.S. Forest Service said in its latest incident report. “Individuals with compromised respiratory systems are encouraged to limit outdoor exposure, if possible.”A red flag warning was issued for Sunday because of possible thunderstorms that could cause erratic winds, officials with the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest said. That red flag warning has expired.On Saturday afternoon, the fire crossed the east fork of the Carson River near the East Fork Resort, moving into lighter fuels, which added to its growth. The Tamarack Fire began on July 4, but on Friday afternoon the blaze was seen on camera intensifying. The Forest Service said the fire was caused by lightning.| MORE | Fire Season 2021 Preparedness Guide: What to know, how to keep your family safeStay with KCRA 3 for the latest.
Evacuations have been ordered for the Tamarack Fire burning in Alpine County near Markleeville, the Alpine County Sheriff’s Office said.
It had charred 18,299 acres and was 0% contained as of Sunday afternoon, according to the Humboldt-Toiyabe division for the U.S. Forest Service. Nearly 800 personnel are assigned to the fire.
“You never expect it,” Henry Veatch said about having to leave his home in Alpine Village. “We got burned out in the same place in 1987, and you’re never really expecting it. What we were happy about is that we had a little time to pack up some valuables.”
After the Veatch family lost their home in a fire in 1987, they rebuilt on the property and have been living there ever since.
“We’re just biding our time now, trying to get back in,” Veatch said.
Officials said the blaze is threatening about 200 homes, and they estimate about 10 have already been burned.
When lightning sparked the fire two weeks ago, officials said they were monitoring it. Then, it exploded after a windy Friday. KCRA 3 asked why crews waited before going in.
“There were multiple. I think they had 23 fires that were started,” said Nate Leising with the U.S. Forest Service.
He said they had to prioritize and said the Tamarack Fire was not a threat to people or homes at the time.
“The fire was monitored all the time. They did it with cameras and they flew it, so it’s not like they just left it. It’s been watched,” he said.
The 2021 Tour of the California Alps – Death Ride has also been canceled due to the blaze.
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EVACUATION ORDERS
Officials said on Friday that the area of Markleeville and communities to the south are under mandatory evacuation orders. These areas include:
- Markleeville
- Grover Hot Springs and campground area
- Shay Creek
- Marklee Village
- Alpine Village
- Woodfords
- East Fork Resort
- The community of Hung A Lel Ti
The Mesa area has been listed under a voluntary evacuation.
People can sign up for emergency notifications here.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
ROAD CLOSURES
Highway 89 is closed at the intersection of highways 4 and 89.
Highway 4 is open west of the Highway 89 and Highway 4 junction.
The Pacific Crest Trail between State Route 88 and Highway 4 has been closed.
EVACUATION CENTERS
On Saturday, the evacuation center was moved to the Douglas County Senior Center by Lampe Park in Gardnerville.
FIRE OUTLOOK
Heavy smoke grounded all firefighting aircraft Sunday.
“Active fire behavior and growth of the Tamarack Fire will continue to impact Carson Valley and surrounding areas with smoke and moderate ash fall,” the U.S. Forest Service said in its latest incident report. “Individuals with compromised respiratory systems are encouraged to limit outdoor exposure, if possible.”
A red flag warning was issued for Sunday because of possible thunderstorms that could cause erratic winds, officials with the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest said. That red flag warning has expired.
On Saturday afternoon, the fire crossed the east fork of the Carson River near the East Fork Resort, moving into lighter fuels, which added to its growth.
The Tamarack Fire began on July 4, but on Friday afternoon the blaze was seen on camera intensifying. The Forest Service said the fire was caused by lightning.
| MORE | Fire Season 2021 Preparedness Guide: What to know, how to keep your family safe
Stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.
