Fork Fire updates: Reduced winds bring hope of faster containment in Eldorado forest

The Fork Fire has now burned roughly 2,200 acres in a remote part of the Eldorado National Forest but improving weather conditions could help containment efforts.

The fire, which started on Tuesday afternoon, continues to burn with only 7% containment near Gerle Creek, about 10 miles west of Lake Tahoe and 15 miles northeast of Pollock Pines.

The fire is burning in the Rubicon River drainage, with flames reaching the burn scar left from the King Fire in 2014. The Rubicon canyon has made firefighting efforts challenging due to its remote location and steep terrain.

The presence of dead trees from the King Fire has allowed moderate to rapid rates of fire spread, spotting, torching and running, according to a Friday morning incident report.

After windy conditions earlier in the week and concern over gusts on Thursday afternoon, Friday’s weather has allowed for the possibility of slower spread, the report said.

“High pressure along the west coast will keep a warm, dry air mass over the region. Lighter daytime easterly winds and a return of normal westerly and upslope winds will allow for more humidity recovery at night,” the U.S. Forest Service wrote in an incident report. “Fuels will continue to be very dry due to a prolonged heating trend.”

Using five engines, two bulldozers and two water tenders, three crews of firefighters have placed a priority on protecting private property. The crews are also trying to keep the fire west and north of Wentworth Springs Road, west of 11 Pines Road and south of Hell Hole Reservoir.

Mandatory evacuations are still in effect for Volcanoville, Quintette and Stumpy Meadows, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. Additionally, the Eldorado National Forest has been closed until further notice by a Regional Temporary Emergency Closure Order, preventing all public access to the land, roads and trails.

As of Friday morning, there have been two minor injuries due to the fire.

Smoke continues to billow from the fire, which started shortly before noon Tuesday and quickly produced a large plume. Smoke reportedly blew east Wednesday into the Tahoe area. Air quality in the area reached unhealthy levels by Friday morning.

This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 8:47 AM.