Tom Quinn, supervisor of the Tahoe National Forest, has signed an emergency closure order effective Aug. 16 for portions of National Forest System lands within and adjacent to the American Fire.

The temporary closure is designed to ensure public safety during current wildfire suppression efforts and ensuing rehabilitation activities.

The American Fire has burned 5,420 acres since it started Aug. 10. It is 35 percent contained.

The closure area includes:

• The area south of the Foresthill Divide Road starting at Deadwood Ridge Road to Forest Road 43 at Robinson Flat.

• Forest Road 43, which is closed to Forest Road 44 (Cavanah Ridge Road), which is closed, to Forest Road 96 (Mosquito Ridge Road).

• North along Mosquito Ridge Road west to Section 26, Township 14 North, Range 11 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian.

The Mosquito Ridge Road is open to public traffic.

Once the fire is suppressed, rehabilitation activities may include trail bridge repairs, hazard tree felling, and heavy equipment use on roads.

For more info, call (530) 367.2224.