SIERRA COUNTY, Calif. (KOLO) – SEPT. 7 UPDATE: Containment on the Bear Fire burning in the Tahoe National Forest in Sierra County increased to 23 percent.
The fire is 3,325 acres and has 913 personnel on it.
The fire started Monday and the cause is still listed as undetermined.
The weather’s impact on the fire is minimal, the U.S. Forest Service reports.
Crews continue to strengthen fire lines and aircraft are dropping water on the fire during the day.
“Today, we will focus on reinforcing the existing fire lines to minimize the fire’s impact on nearby communities and to increase containment,” the Forest Service said Saturday. “Mop-up operations will continue across the area affected by the fire.”
EARLIER STORY: Cal Fire reports the Bear Fire is 15 percent contained and has burned 3,325 acres.
Crews continue to make progress on the fire after struggling to create containment lines since the fire started on Monday.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office says that the mandatory evacuation for people living in the Sierra Brooks area has been downgraded to an evacuation warning.
Starting at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, only local residents with proper ID will be allowed to enter the road closure at Smithneck and Highway 49.
Smithneck Road near Bear Valley Road will remain closed, with no public access allowed in the footprint of the fire.
The Bear Fire Closure Area includes Tahoe National Forest National Forest System Lands east of State Highway 89 and north of Sierra County Road 450 (Henness Pass Road) at their intersection. The closure area boundary travels north along State Highway 89 until it reaches end of National Forest System Lands south of Sierraville.
Tahoe National Forest officials say the fire was first reported around 2:00 p.m. off of Bear Valley Road on September 2nd. The cause of the fire is still undetermined and is under investigation.
Copyright 2024 KOLO. All rights reserved.
