Blue skies have returned to the Lake Tahoe Basin as firefighters continue to make inroads on two major burns in Northern California.

Fire spread was minimal overnight for the Butte and Valley fires. Cooler temps and some moisture are aiding suppression efforts.

The Butte Fire, which has brought smoke to Tahoe-Truckee-Carson-Reno for several days, is at 71,780 acres and 45 percent containment. Still, 6,400 structures remain threatened in Amador and Calaveras counties. Mandatory evacuations for Amador County have been lifted.

Lost are 233 residences, 175 outbuildings, with 15 structures damaged.

The Valley Fire, that is mostly in Lake County north of Napa County, has charred 70,000 acres and is 30 percent contained. It wiped out 585 homes and hundreds of other structures. Another 7,650 are threatened.

The cause of both fires is under investigation.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report