Wildland fire burning south of Markleeville
A fire south of Markleeville is burning out of control June 20. Photo/Provided
Updated 10:20pm:
A wildland fire is burning near Markleeville, having consumed more than 350 acres.
A large plume of smoke could be seen from Genoa and other parts of the Carson Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Known as the Washington Fire, it is burning about eight miles south for Markleeville in the Silver Creek Drainage. It started June 19 about 7pm on U.S. Forest Service land. Highway 4 is closed from the intersection of highways 4 and 89 to the summit area.
A red flag warning has been issued over the fire until 10pm June 21 because of gusty winds up to 40 mph and low relative humidity.
Authorities said, “Steep rocky terrain, lack of vehicle access, and heavy timber with numerous downfalls are hampering firefighting progress. Access to the fire is primarily long distance hiking overland or deployment of personnel via helicopter.”
At this time no structures are threatened.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
A wildland fire burning near Markleeville! Take care Jeanne Lear and other Alpine County residents.
We need to be EXTRA cautious this summer with fire danger. Campfires, B.B Q.’s are to be avoided.
It dose’nt take much during several years of drought to have devastating reults. Be fire safe . OLS
MAN the fire watch towers !!!!
Put the darn fires out BEFORE they become unmanageable .
what started this one ??
Saw the smoke over Picketts Peak last night from Hope Valley but it appeared to be mostly over by 9 pm and no visible smoke from Hope Valley this morning.
Had to be careless people caused, no lightning all week.
Stay safe firefighters!
You couldn’t see the smoke because the wind was blowing it sideways.
It’s not over by a long shot:
http://sierrafront.net/single-media-interest-fire/2015/WASHINGTON
Camped overnight at Grover and thought the smoke looked more dangerous this morning. Hoping it was just a trick of the light as the sun came up.
Let us not forget that fires are natural.. I do hope nobody gets hurt though.