Crews losing ground on King Fire
A huge plume of smoke covers Placerville. Photo/Renee Gorevin
Updated Sept. 15 11:55pm:
The King Fire near Pollock Pines grew to 8,600 acres on Monday night, with 5 percent containment.
Highway 50 is reduced to one lane through the fire area.
The California Air Resources Board will be installing a temporary PM2.5 monitor at South Tahoe High School to monitor smoke from the King Fire in Pollock Pines.
Under normal circumstances there is a PM10 monitor located in South Lake Tahoe. It only measures coarse dust particles such as rushing or grinding operations and dust stirred up by vehicles traveling on roads — not smoke particles.
The smell of smoke is evident in parts of the basin, and from many areas it can be seen.
Several firefighters on Sept. 15 had to deploy their fire shelter. CalFire said everyone in safe. Earlier a firefighter had been injured. The extent of the injuries is unknown.
The fire, which erupted in the late afternoon Sept. 13, is burning in a canyon of the South Fork of the American River, northeast of Pollock Pines. It is spreading at a rapid rate.
All Pollock Pines schools will remain closed on Sept. 16.
Highway 50 remains open. However, Forebay Road at Blair Road and Forebay Road at Pony Express Trail are closed.
Mandatory and voluntary evacuations remain in effect for hundreds of residents. Sierra Ridge Middle School is being used as a shelter for people and small pets.
The cause is under investigation.
Agencies from throughout Northern California are working the fire, including crews from Lake Tahoe.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Is anyone aware of a website that shows more precise location data for fires? Would you mind sharing it if possible? Thank you.
http://www.inedc.com/
http://yubanet.com/nevada/King.php
Thank you.
http://www.fire.ca.gov/incident_information.php
As you are heading down toward Placerville, the fire is off to your right, somewhat northeast of the town of Pollock Pines. As the articles state, it is in the American River canyon area in rugged terrain. The smoke seems to be moving down toward Placerville and to the northeast. Dozens of Cal Fire trucks & earth moving equipment were heading up to the fire area this morning.
I live in Pollock Pines on Pony Express and Gilmore. Some ares last night 2 mile north of my house lost electrical service. Evacuation has been made north of Four Bay Road. No smoke has come into Pollock Pines. The fire appears to be going northeast away from Pollock Pines.at this time.
The Pollock King fire is 10% contained but it is moving in a north east direction towards Tahoe.I have room here in the house and space in my lot next door for those that get evacuated. I’m at 2621 Knox whitch is in the middle of town off Sierra blvd., My phone # is 530-544-0760.
I’m here to help.Old Long Skiis (aka, Bob Rockwell)
update
the KING fire is now at 8600 acres.
hwy 50 westbound lanes closed near Fresh Pond per http://yubanet.com/nevada/King.php
I guess the smoke we smell on the south shore, near Apalachee is from the King fire and not something new and closer ?
Thank you to the firefighters and everyone involved helping with this very dangerous situation. Stay safe!
Drove up 50 yesterday am. Fire is very close to 50 just north of Pollock Pines. This is a big deer on the road area, people. Look out for panicked deer…..Already saw one as road kill…