Overnight the Mosquito Fire expanded in size to 6,870 acres as burning conditions during all periods continue to provide challenges to firefighting personnel. Today’s temperatures will remain over 100 degrees with very low humidities and winds in the fire area gusting to 25 mph which combined with steep terrain provides difficulties in directly attacking the fire and creating fuel breaks.
Today’s objectives are to continue building control lines via handcrews and bulldozers. Firefighting personnel will also perform perimeter control around the fire, with the goal to keep the fire within the the existing control fire perimeter and structure defense.
The temporary evacuation center in El Dorado located at the Cool Community Church has closed as of 5:00 p.m. yesterday. Additionally, the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) has issued Forest Order No. 17-22-09 (https://bit.ly/3RucPRM), implanting a closure of roadways and trails within the TNF.
The Unified Commanders of the Mosquito Fire are aware of structure damage in the Michigan Bluff area. Where safe, damage inspection teams will begin assessing areas within the fire area today, and additional information will be provided when it is available.
