Tamarack fire evacuation orders were extended; Rain could cause flooding in the area – CBS San Francisco

MARKLEVILLE, Alpine County (CBS SF) – Additional mandatory evacuations were ordered in the areas around the Tamarak fire on Monday as authorities warned of possible flooding or debris due to rain forecast for the area.

The Mountain County Sheriff’s Office ordered the mandatory removal of Lake Road, which is west of the fire area. The evacuation is in addition to the existing evacuations for Markleville, Grover Recreation and Recreation Park, Shay Creek, Markleville Village, Boys Poor Area, Carson River Resort, Sierra Pines, Upper and Lower Manzanite, Crystal Spring, Crystal Spring. A Le Ti, Alpine Village and Woodfords.

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The U.S. Forest Service said Monday there is a 60 percent chance of rain and there is a chance of flooding in drains and waste streams on steep slopes in the fire zone. The forest service says the fire could remain active even if it rains in the area.

The forest fire also forced the closure of Highway 89 at the intersection of Highway 4. Highway 4 to the west of the crossing remains open. Recent reports of the incident estimate that the Tamarak Fire burned more than 25,000 acres on Monday afternoon.

On Sunday, rising flames forced federal park officials to block the Pacific Railroad Crest also between Carson Pass (Highway 88) and Abbets Pass (Highway 4). The route stretches 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada and attracts thousands of tourists. It is divided into five regions: Southern California, Central California, Northern California, Oregon and Washington.

On Saturday, July 17, 2021, firefighters headed home during the war against Tamarak in the Markleville Alpine community of California. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)

At the end of the weekend, a group of determined firefighters battled the advanced Tamarack Fire and did not put the fire into the heart of the Sierra evacuation community from Markleville. The fire burned 23,078 acres without any fuel as of Monday morning.

The fire broke out when a small blaze broke out during the July 4 holiday. The fire erupted on Friday and quickly spread from 500 acres to more than 18,000 acres over the next 36 hours.

There was zero restraint, but the rapidly growing number of firefighters brought to the battlefield apparently saved most of Markleville after the fire almost engulfed the community. The fire was moving northwards away from the small mountain community.

The fire initially engulfed 50 firefighters who were monitoring the fire. As of Monday morning, the number of firefighters had risen to 750.

Among those forced out of their homes was Rodney Pryor, who lives in Shay Creek.

“They gave me a good few hours before they said,‘ Now you have to get out! “” He said. “So I took everything to my RV. All my precious things. ”

On Saturday, July 17, 2021, flames licked during the Tamarak fire in the Markle community of the Alpine Mountains, California. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)

The National Weather Service said the thunderstorm was expected to move south of U.S. Highway 50 on Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and head north. The most isolated hurricanes were likely around the Rhino-Carson and Tahoe areas and to northwestern Nevada and California in the northeast.

In addition to the concerns of severe flooding from recent burns and sloping lands, other impacts include strong and irregular winds, hail and thunderstorms, in addition to heavy local rainfall.

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There was also a risk of dust spreading across central western Nevada after Monday and evening and following a visible drop in capacity.

Previously, the meteorological service from the area was open from 11 a.m. on Sunday until Monday morning. Dry light was expected to seep through the Tahoe area, increasing the risk of fire.

Winds were expected to reach 40 mph.

“The Red Flag warning means severe weather conditions are currently occurring or will occur soon,” meteorologists said. “A combination of strong wind, low relative humidity and hot temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.”

At least two facilities were destroyed.

The fire was forced to cancel on Saturday’s “Death Ride,” a 103-mile bike ride on the so-called California Alps over three mountain passes in Sierra Nevada.

Kelly Pennington and her family were camping near town on Friday to allow her husband to attend the ninth ride when they were told to leave. They observed the growth of smoke throughout the day, but protected them from the rapid spread of fire.

“It happened very quickly,” Pennington said. “We left our tents, hammocks and some food, but took most of our belongings, put our two children in the car and left.”

Paul Burgess, who was traveling from Los Angeles to participate in the tour, said most of the cyclists he met were grateful to be safe from the risk of fire.

“They just said it’s the same,” Burgess said. “It’s part of climate change to a certain extent, it’s just part of the fuel being burned, the humidity is low, the humidity is low and … around the states, a lot of parts of it are like tinderbox. ”

For longtime residents, the blaze and evacuation brought back memories of the 2012 Acorn fire that engulfed the area.

“Everything has been restored here and this is the second time the area has been threatened,” said local resident Andrea Fierle.

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© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to the report.