Tamarack Fire July 23rd Morning Update With Briefing Video. 58,417 Acres, 4% Containment, 1,353 Total Personnel

Markleeville, CA…Planned Actions for today: Branch I (northeast side of fire) – Secure line in DIV K, finish prep on dozerline in K south of China Springs Youth Camp. Prepare for burnout and structure protection along US Highway 395. Identify contingency east of Highway 395 and secure major spot fire east of the highway. Branch II (south side of fire) – continue to scout indirect Line opportunities. Branch III (west side of fire) – Prep and hold Highway 88 and Crystal Springs area. Scout opportunities from Hawkins communication site to A/F Division break. Structure – Continue to assess and prep structures along US Highway 395. Mop up and secure around structures in Woodfords, Grover Hot Springs, and Markleeville areas.

The Tamarack Fire started as a lightning strike in the Mokelumne Wilderness on a rocky ridgetop with sparse fuels and natural barriers to fire spread. Friday, July 16 high winds caused rapid downslope fire spread. With this change in the fire, resources were quickly dispatched to the site. Additional resources were ordered, including very Large Air Tankers (VLAT), Single Engine Airtankers (SEATS) and helicopters.

The Type 2 Great Basin Incident Management Team #3 assumed command of the fire on Sunday, July 18 at 6 a.m. transitioning to the Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team on Tuesday, July 20. Many Federal, State, and Local government agencies as well as organizations and businesses are cooperating to make progress on the fire.

This is a full suppression fire. Public and Firefighter safety is the number one priority. Minimizing impacts to local communities, private property and structures, natural resources, highway corridors, and recreation improvements are key considerations.  Our intent is to keep you fully informed on the fire’s activities and our suppression efforts as the incident progresses.

The Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team has produced an interactive map so the public can see the Tamarack Fire location in relation to their address.  Please click here Tamarack Fire 2021 Interactive Map or use this url https://bit.ly/TamarackInteractiveMap

For the latest information on road closures, visit:   QuickMap (ca.gov) and https://roads.dot.ca.gov/

Evacuation related information can be found by clicking on the Announcements section above or below.

Additional information can be found from these sources:

Tamarack Fire Information Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamarackfireinfo

Twitter: @Tamarack_Fire

Videos of the Daily Operational Briefings for the public and future community meetings will be posted on the Tamarack Wildfire Official Information YouTubewebsite at: https://bit.ly/TamarackVideo

 

Incident Information

Basic Information

Current as of 7/23/2021, 9:07:36 AM
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin Sunday July 04th, 2021 approx. 04:00 PM
Location 16 Miles south of Gardnerville, NV
Incident Commander Dan Dallas, IC Bill Hahnenberg, Deputy IC
Coordinates 38.628 latitude, -119.857 longitude

Current Situation

Total Personnel 1,353
Size 58,417 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 4%
Estimated Containment Date Tuesday August 31st, 2021 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved Timber (Grass and Understory)

Chaparral (6 feet)

Timber (Litter and Understory)

Significant Events Extreme

Running

Short Crown Runs

Short-range Spotting

Extreme fire behavior observed and is expected to continue well into the evening.

Outlook

Planned Actions Branch I (northeast side of fire) – Secure line in DIV K, finish prep on dozerline in K south of China Springs Youth Camp. Prepare for burnout and structure protection along US Highway 395. Identify contingency east of Highway 395 and secure major spot fire east of the highway.

Branch II (south side of fire) – continue to scout indirect Line opportunities.

Branch III (west side of fire) – Prep and hold Highway 88 and Crystal Springs area. Scout opportunities from Hawkins communication site to A/F Division break.

Structure – Continue to assess and prep structures along US Highway 395. Mop up and secure around structures in Woodfords, Grover Hot Springs, and Markleeville areas.

Projected Incident Activity 12 hours: Poor humidity recovery will result in continued very active to extreme fire behavior into the evening hours. High rates of spread with torching and spotting associated with both running and backing fire.

24 hours: Burning conditions expected to be similar to Thursday with continued extreme to active fire behavior. Fire spread primarily to the North and East.

Remarks Acreage estimated from NIROPS flight: 2000 7/21/2021

Current Weather

Weather Concerns Today’s weather was mostly sunny. High Temps 79-89. Min RH 15-20%. WSW 9-14 mph with

gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon and evening. HAINES 5

Tonight-Clear with smoke. Min Temp 50-60. Max humidity around 35-45%. Localized downcanyon winds.

Friday-Mostly sunny. High Temps 79-89. Min RH 15-20%. Upslope 4-8 mph with NW 10-15 G25 late in the afternoon and evening mainly on the Nevada side. HAINES 5