King Fire 84% contained and not growing

Updated 8:40pm:

Winter-like weather is allowing firefighters to continue getting the upper hand on the King Fire.

It is 84 percent contained, with no growth on Sept. 27. The acreage burned remains at 97,099. The arson fire that has been raging east of Pollock Pines since Sept. 13 is burning in mostly rugged terrain, with little threat to population centers.

Officials are monitoring roads in the burn area for the threat of mud and debris flow. Firefighters have put sandbags in front of some homes and other buildings.

Quintette and Volcanoville no longer have any evacuation warnings. The Apple Hill area is also evacuation-free.

However, the fire as of Sept. 27 was still a threat to 289 structures. Twelve houses have been reduced to ash.

More moisture is in the forecast Sunday.

“With hunting season starting [Saturday], we want to remind visitors that the Eldorado National Forest closure is still in effect,” Eldorado Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree said in a statement. “Although we are gaining ground, the King Fire is still active, and there are a lot of firefighting resources still in the area. I intend to open more of the forest as soon as it is safe to do so.”

— Lake Tahoe News staff report