Fork, Eldorado National Forest

Fork, Eldorado NF, USFS. Fifteen miles northeast of Pollock Pines, CA. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Numerous structures and infrastructure threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect.

November 8, 2020 at 10:58 AM

The Fork Fire is 100% contained. Photo taken today from Union Valley Reservoir. pic.twitter.com/RZaE6zuN43

— EldoradoNF (@EldoradoNF) November 8, 2020

October 27, 2020 at 8:55 AM

Minimal Fire behavior reported overnight and a Red Flag Warning is in effect for gusty winds and low RH through 1700 today. Road, area and trail closures remain in effect.

October 9, 2020 at 8:57 AM

There are no new changes to report the fire remains at 1,667 acres, 70% contained; Minimal fire behavior observed with creeping, backing and smoldering in the Rubicon River drainage; 19 total personnel including aircraft are supporting the fire.

September 30, 2020 at 10:17 AM

The Fork Fire has continued to hold its current perimeter for several days, despite Red Flag Warnings caused by hot, dry temperatures and high winds. The reduction in complexity and completion of planned work has allowed the incident to downsize and transition to a less complex management organization. The fire will continue to be monitored and patrolled as the west flank in the Rubicon Canyon remains uncontained. This will be the final update for the Fork Fire unless conditions substantially change in the future. 

Operations:  Firefighters will to monitor fire activities and patrol fire lines. Aerial operations will continue to be used as needed and available to control hot spots along the uncontained western edge of the fire.
  

Weather: Warm and dry weather is forecast as high pressure sets up over the region. Winds are expected to be generally light; however, some gusts up to 15 mph will be possible each afternoon. For nationwide smoke and air quality conditions, information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

September 26, 2020 at 12:19 PM

The next formal update for the Fork Fire will be on Monday September 28th, unless conditions on the fire change substantially during the weekend.

Hot and dry conditions will develop Saturday and Sunday and will persist into early next week. East/downslope winds are expected, especially during the overnight and morning hours Saturday night into Monday, with critical fire weather conditions possible.

September 25, 2020 at 9:09 AM

Crews continued work on hotspots in the Rubicon River canyon near South Fork Bridge trail. Forest and fire managers would like people to be aware that while the fire closure area was reduced, there is still fire activity in the area. Please be extra careful driving and look for heavy vehicles on the road. Rifle season for deer hunting is also starting tomorrow, bringing more users to the forest.

Operations: Yesterday crews worked hot spots that showed up in the southwest corner of the fire due to warmer weather. Today the Blasting Group plans to fell more standing dead trees today to help mitigate hazards for those firefighters working in the area. On the north and southeast sides of the fire engines continue to patrol and monitor the line.

Weather: A significant warming and drying trend will begin today. Expect afternoon southwest wind gusts over ridges and aligned portions of the Rubicon River canyon. For nationwide smoke and air quality conditions, information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

September 24, 2020 at 9:15 AM

Control of the fire transferred to a local Type 3 team today at 0700 with Matthew Brown as incident commander. Strategy on the fire will remain the same with emphasis on clearing contingency lines distant from the main edge of the fire in case the fire begins to move. Forest and fire managers would like people to be aware that while the fire closures are being reduced, there is still fire activity in the area.

Operations: Theplan for managing the fire will remain mostly the same under the Type 3 organization, with crews continuing “mop-up” down in the southwestern edge of the water drops will help to extinguish remaining hot spots in the Rubicon River canyon. On the north side of the fire, crews are still brushing and removing hazard trees on the 13N27 and 14N77 roads to the north of the fire. Sprinkler systems around residences remain in place and will be tested daily.

Weather: Weather will be trending warmer and drier toward the weekend with poor overnight humidity recovery. Winds will be moderate, possibly increasing to 15-25 mph by Saturday. An interactive map displaying fire and smoke conditions across the United States can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

September 22, 2020 at 10:26 AM

After several days of “mopping up” on the eastern side of the fire, crews have found little to no heat within 300 feet of the fire’s edge. Some heat still remains in the southwest corner near South Fork Bridge trail. Handcrews have contained a portion of the fire in the Rubicon River canyon and reduced the chances of the fire spreading to the southwest.

Operations: Fire personnel continue patrolling and putting out any remaining hot spots on the eastern portion of the fire near Airport Flat and Gerle Creek campgrounds. The Blasting Group continues to aid firefighters in the removal of standing dead trees in the hottest section just north of South Fork Bridge trail. Yesterday, two Super Scooper aircraft flew 3.5 hours, dropping 34,000 gallons of water from Loon Lake in the steepest part of the fire area where conditions are too hazardous to insert ground resources. Across the Rubicon River to the west, crews continue to eliminate snags along the dozer lines and the 14N20 road. In the Bunker Hill area to the north, crews are monitoring any hot spots while also patrolling and felling hazardous trees. Due to successful firefighting efforts, the incident management team has started to demobilize resources to make them available to support other active incidents across the West.

Weather: High temperatures will remain in the mid-70s with moderate overnight humidity recovery. In the afternoon, upslope winds will be 8-10 mph gusting to 18 mph in the fire area. An interactive map displaying fire and smoke conditions across the United States can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

September 21, 2020 at 10:16 AM

As firefighters work to complete containment lines around the fire perimeter, hazard mitigation efforts continue on the west side along the Rubicon River canyon. The Blasting Group continues to successfully use fireline explosives to remove snags and provide safer working conditions in the South Fork Bridge trail area. More accurate mapping has shown a reduction in acres for the Fork Fire.

Operations: Fire personnel continue to patrol and extinguish any remaining hot spots on the eastern portion of the fire near Airport Flat and Gerle Creek. The Structure Protection Group is performing daily tests of the sprinkler systems around residences. On the southwest side of the fire, near the most active heat, crews continue to use fireline explosives to clear a path for future line construction.

The Blasting Group has dropped nearly 100 standing dead trees in the past two days. Helicopters transported water to the western edge in the steepest and hottest part of the fire area.

Across the Rubicon River to the west, firefighters expect to complete the contingency line near Hell Hole Reservoir with one final piece of handline connecting the road to the water. In the Bunker Hill and Gerle Meadows areas to the north, crews continue to monitor, patrol, and test water systems. A hotshot crew worked on hazard tree removal to improve contingency lines to the north of the fire on the 77 road. No fire escaped the lines yesterday.

September 20, 2020 at 12:11 PM

Fire personnel have completed nearly all of the planned lines around the fire’s edge, with the exception of the western portion in the Rubicon River canyon. After successfully testing blasting operations, firefighters will continue to use fireline explosives to remove hazardous trees and provide safer working conditions.

Operations: Aircraft dropped nearly 30,000 gallons of water on the fire yesterday afternoon and evening, allowing for higher humidities overnight to help extinguish hot spots. A designated Blasting Group used five blasts to begin clearing snags along the southwestern edge of the fire near South Creek and the South Fork Bridge trail. Crews contained a small spot fire outside the fireline on the western portion of the fire area. Today, progress will continue down the steep slopes into the Rubicon River canyon. The plan will include blasting using fireline explosives along the South Fork Bridge trail to continue clearing the standing dead trees to increase firefighter safety. Crews are expected to complete handline from the road system to the west to Hell Hole Reservoir. Firefighters are using brush removal equipment to improve lines along the western side of the Rubicon River as well as the road system leading north from Hartless Mountain. Engines continue to patrol and secure the eastern portion of the fire near Airport Flat and Gerle Creek camping areas.

Weather: Weather conditions will remain stable for the next few days. Temperatures and humidity will remain moderate with highs in the low 70s and afternoon winds at 5-7 mph, with gusts of 10-12 mph. An interactive map displaying fire and smoke conditions across the United States can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

September 18, 2020 at 11:02 AM

Light winds have pushed out the smoke layer that has been lingering over the Fork Fire for the past week. Although some increased fire activity was observed on the western side of the fire, clearer skies have allowed for increased flight times so that aircraft can safely drop water on the hottest areas of the fire. Crews continue to work areas of heat along the southern and eastern portions of the fire while patrolling cooler sections of the line near Airport Flat.

Operations: Firefighters made excellent progress yesterday with the favorable weather conditions, better visibility, and help from helicopters dropping water. With improved weather conditions, fire managers are hoping to supplement helicopters with water-scooping aircraft today. Near Airport Flat, crews are working to remove any remaining heat sources and monitor the cooler portions of the fire’s edge. Near South Creek, firefighters have installed hose line and extended the dozer line another 600 feet from the eastern portion of the fire. Firefighters expect to complete the northern contingency line along Little Deer Creek today. To the west of the Rubicon River, crews are continuing to build the indirect line using a combination of roads and dozer line. Further out from the fire, roads have been prepared for burnout operations, only if the fire were to move north toward Hell Hole Reservoir. Helicopters have been successful in cooling the hottest portions of the fire along the far southwest and northwest sections of the Rubicon River canyon.

Weather: Good humidity recovery overnight provided a damp start to the day, and high temperatures will be in the upper 60’s with relative humidity in the upper teens. Winds are expected to increase to 15-18 mph with gusts to 30 mph on ridgetops by afternoon. On Saturday, the temperatures are expected remain cool. An interactive map displaying fire and smoke conditions across the United States can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

September 17, 2020 at 9:24 AM

The Fork Fire has not experienced significant growth for three days. Smoke cover, stable weather, and light winds are helping to moderate fire behavior. Steep, rugged terrain and fire-weakened trees are still posing a danger to firefighters working in the interior.

Operations: Eldorado Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais has charged the Southwest Incident Management Team 4 to treat the Rubicon River canyon with great reverence due to the many hazards in the area. Fire managers agree that the number one priority for all fires is firefighter and public safety; the Fork Fire challenges this priority on a daily basis.

The most active part of the fire is burning in the steep and rugged Rubicon River drainage, and managers intend to follow the “PACE” model to help drive decisions. The “P” stands for the primary plan in which firefighters will work along the existing edges of the fire to stop further spread while providing for firefighter safety. The “A” stands for alternate plans in which crews construct indirect fire lines away from the fire and intentionally ignite the fuel between the line and the main fire. The “C” stands for contingency plans. Contingency lines along the north, west, and south sides of the fire are getting nearer to completion and are designed to catch the fire if the weather patterns change or fire activity increases. The final letter “E” stands for emergency. If the fire were to burn actively, pushed by wind and steep slopes, fire managers would burn from the contingency lines to remove the fuel before the main fire approaches. Confidence is high that the primary plan will work, and today crews will engage with continued activities at the established slow, safe pace.

Weather: Forecast indicates a dry start to the day again with high temperatures around 78 degrees. Winds are expected to increase slightly 10-12 mph with gusts to 20 mph. Relative humidity will reach the upper teens. Friday will likely show an increase in wind with a very slight chance of rain as a weather front approaches the Pacific Coast.

September 16, 2020 at 9:20 AM

The western edge of the fire has been most active over the past few days, burning partway down the Rubicon River canyon in the King Fire scar. Steep and rocky terrain offers few escape routes for firefighters in this area. Standing dead trees frequently fall with little or no wind. Rolling burning material can ignite new fires below the main fire, creating a dangerous situation for any personnel working on the fire line. This situation presents several challenges to the goal of containing this fire. With clearing skies, aircraft were able to drop water along the southwest edge yesterday, cooling hot spots along the fire line.

To the west of Airport Flat, crews continued along the edge of the fire to extinguish pockets of heat on the eastern flank. Tree-falling teams are working diligently to make the line safer and ensure roads remain clear. Contingency lines were nearly completed in the north along Little Deer Creek and the southwest near South Creek. Dozers are working on the west side of the Rubicon River to help stop the fire’s spread from east winds.

Contingency lines are being developed away from the fire on the north, west, and south sides.

Weather: Weather continues in the same pattern. Humidity recovery overnight was poor, while daily conditions remain warm and dry, with temperatures in the 80s and afternoon humidity in the teens. Winds should be weak this afternoon around 8 mph. Cooling temps are expected to bring higher humidity recovery.

September 15, 2020 at 12:37 PM

Operations: Crews continue to strengthen fire line on the southeastern edge of the fire to secure the Airport Flat area. Firefighters are working in from the edge to extinguish hot spots along the south and east sides of the fire. Along the northern edge, crews continue to construct line toward the Rubicon River. Yesterday, helicopters supported crews for several hours with water drops on hot spots near Airport Flat. On the southwest portion of the fire, crews are working to improve dozer line along a ridge near South Creek in the South Fork of Rubicon River canyon. 

Closures: The regional temporary emergency closure, which includes the Eldorado National Forest, has been extended through September 21, 2020. The forest will remain closed due to continued extreme fire conditions across the state. Agency officials are asking that people refrain from going in or near the fire area to help maintain firefighter and public safety. Further information about this closure order can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado. Authorities are working on a closure order specific to the fire area. A TFR (temporary flight restriction) is also in place over the fire area.

Weather: Little change in the weather is expected today. Conditions will remain warm and dry, with temperatures in the 80s and humidity in the teens. Winds should be slightly weaker this afternoon with maximum gusts less than 20 mph. Slightly cooler temperatures are expected tomorrow, with slightly higher humidity recovery. An interactive map displaying fire and smoke conditions across the United States can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

September 14, 2020 at 9:10 AM

Crews have made excellent progress securing containment line on the eastern edge of the fire to secure the Airport Flat area. Pockets of heat inside the containment lines and standing dead trees, also known as snags, still pose safety issues for firefighters. 

Operations: Crews worked on extinguishing hot spots along the east side of the fire to secure areas closest to values at risk. Contingency line (fire line constructed away from the fire’s edge in case of extreme fire activity) was completed along Little Deer Creek to the north of the fire. As visibility allowed during the day, aircraft dropping water supported firefighting efforts along the eastern half of the fire. On the southwest portion of the fire, professional falling teams began removing hazardous trees to allow crews safer access. The line now extends one half mile down the ridge near South Creek and the South Fork of the Rubicon River. 

Weather: The forecast for today remains similar to yesterday, and critical fire weather by the afternoon seems likely. Southwest winds at 10-15 mph are expected to increase over the ridges and through the Rubicon River drainage. Warm and dry conditions with poor humidity recovery will continue, leading to possible critical fire weather through Monday evening, when conditions are expected to cool slightly, bringing higher humidity to the fire area.   

Community Meeting: A virtual community meeting yesterday evening attracted over 270 participants viewing the live video. Recording of the meeting is available at https://facebook.com/EldoradoNF/. No account is required to view the video. The next virtual community meeting will be held tonight at 6 p.m. on the Eldorado National Forest’s Facebook page. We will monitor online Facebook questions during the meeting, or you can email your questions in advance to enfincident@gmail.com. A recording will be posted immediately following the live meeting.

Closures: No current evacuation orders are in place for the fire, although the Eldorado National Forest is still closed as part of a regional temporary emergency closure. Further information about this closure order can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado. A fire closure order for the fire area is expected soon. A TFR (temporary flight restriction) is in place over the fire area.

September 13, 2020 at 10:22 AM

The incident meteorologist predicts southwest winds may increase over the ridges, potentially aligning in the Rubicon River drainage today and tomorrow. Combined with lower humidity, these conditions could lead to critical fire weather. If the smoke begins to lift out of the area, this is a strong indication of changing weather conditions.

Yesterday, crews focused on strengthening the lines east and south on the Fork Fire to prevent fire movement toward Gerle Creek and Airport Flat. Today, firefighters will shift their work toward the north and east where winds may push fire activity and test containment lines. Crews will continue to mop up and hold the south side of the fire area. Firefighters have identified a planned fire line near the southwest edge of the fire toward the South Fork of the Rubicon River. Crews continue to scout for safe containment options further west across the Rubicon River, although steep topography and weakened snags present many potential challenges. On the northeast side near Little Deer Creek, a containment line was established and improved. In preparation for the critical fire conditions, the crews will attempt to use helicopters and Super Scoopers to cool active fire spots along the northeast edge, if weather permits.

Weather: Southwest winds will increase over the ridges and through the Rubicon River drainage today and tomorrow. Warm and dry conditions with poor humidity recovery will continue, leading to near critical fire weather conditions each afternoon.

Community Meeting: The Incident Management Team hosted a virtual community meeting yesterday evening, with over 300 participants viewing the live video. A recording of the meeting is now available at https://facebook.com/EldoradoNF/. No account is required to view the video. The next virtual community meeting will be held tonight at 6 p.m. on the Eldorado National Forest’s Facebook page. We will monitor online Facebook questions during the meeting, or you can email us your questions in advance at enfincident@gmail.com. A recording will be posted immediately following the live meeting.

September 12, 2020 at 11:50 AM

Crews are focusing their efforts on holding and securing existing containment lines around the fire area. On the south side of the fire, crews are improving containment lines to prevent southern movement toward Gerle Creek and Airport Flat. As additional resources join the firefighting efforts, crews are scouting options for new fireline construction to the west in the Rubicon drainage. Firefighters continue to face challenges with steep and rocky terrain, large snags in the 2014 King Fire burned area, and limited resources. Fire managers are using helicopters to perform reconnaissance flights and drop buckets of water to cool hot spots around the fire.

Weather: Warm and dry conditions with poor humidity recovery will continue, and nearby high pressure will lead to light upslope and downslope winds through Saturday night. Low pressure approaching the coast will produce increased southwest winds on Sunday and Monday, with critical fire weather conditions possible.

In coordination with the Incident Management Team, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded the mandatory evacuation order to an evacuation warning. Residents of Quintette and Volcanoville may now return to their homes but are advised to remain alert to changing conditions. The Fork Fire continues to pose a potential threat and it is possible that residents could be requested to evacuate under a mandatory order, if conditions warrant. This does not supersede the temporary closure order that prohibits entering or using National Forest System lands, roads and trails on the Eldorado National Forest.Community Meeting: The Incident Management Team hosted the first virtual community meeting yesterday evening, with over 270 participants viewing the live video. A recording of the meeting is now available at https://facebook.com/EldoradoNF/. No account is required to view the video. The next virtual community meeting will be held tonight at 6 p.m. on the Eldorado National Forest’s Facebook page.

September 11, 2020 at 9:01 PM

Fire is actively burning in the Rubicon drainage with rapid spread, spotting and torching. Structures remain threatened and evacuation orders remain in effect and multiple recreation sites have been evacuated. Threats to recreation residences, power and water facilities and recreation sites, and to critical wildlife habitat, private timberlands. Road, area and trail closures are in effect. SW Type 2, Team 4 in command.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has made the determination to downgrade the mandatory evacuation order to an evacuation warning: https://www.facebook.com/eldoradosheriff. You may now enter the closed areas of Quintette and Volcanoville but please be alert to changing conditions. Fork Fire continues to pose a potential threat and a there is a possibility you could be requested to evacuate under a mandatory order. This does not supersede the temporary closure order that prohibits entering or using National Forest System lands, roads and trails on the Eldorado National Forest

September 11, 2020 at 1:18 PM

The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) 4, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope, assumed command of the Fork Fire this morning, Friday, September 11, 2020, at 7:00 a.m.

Community Meeting: The incident management team will host a virtual community meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at https://facebook.com/EldoradoNF/. No account is required to view the video. If a pop-up box appears when you first navigate to the link, you can use the scroll bar on the right to scroll down to the view and/or click “not now” to minimize the login pop-up. We will monitor online Facebook questions during the meeting, or you can email us your questions in advance at enfincident@gmail.com. A recording will be posted immediately following the live meeting.

Operations: The Fork Fire is burning in the Rubicon River drainage and the King Fire burn scar. Initial fire resources have established an anchor point securing the heel of the fire. Firefighters are working to prevent the fire from spreading to private property, surrounding communities, and values at risk. Challenges will include steep topography, snags within the 2014 King Fire footprint, and lack of resources due to heightened fire activity throughout the western states. A full suppression strategy is being implemented on the Fork Fire. Values at risk include human safety, private residences, private industrial timber lands, Forest Service recreational and administrative facilities, recreational trail systems, hydroelectric power facilities, and transmission and distribution lines.

Weather: Warm and dry conditions will prevail today through Saturday. A nearby high pressure system will lead to light upslope and downslope winds through Saturday.

September 10, 2020 at 6:39 PM

Based on National Guard data from a drone and firefighter observations on the ground, the fire size estimate has been revised to 2,200 acres. This is the best available data, but it is still considered a ROUGH ESTIMATE ONLY. The main fire shown on the map is the drone data; the hand drawn area shows field observations.

Thefire is in the Rubicon River drainage and the King Fire burn scar and burned actively last night. The Rubicon canyon is an extremely steep and remote area which makes firefighting difficult. The fire has been exhibiting moderate to rapid rates of fire spread, spotting, torching and running in dense timber and dead and down from fire killed trees from the 2014 King Fire.

The operational priorities today are to prevent fire spread onto private property and to protect surrounding communities and other values at risk. Firefighters will establish direct fire line and utilize indirect lines where possible. Operational objectives are to keep the fire west and north of Wentworth Springs Rd., east of 11 Pines Rd. and south of Hell Hole Reservoir.

A type 2 Incident Management Team is being briefed this afternoon with the Eldorado National Forest and Fork Fire personnel. the Team will be taking command of the Incident Friday morning at 7:00 AM.

Weather today: High pressure along the west coast will keep a warm, dry air mass over the region. Lighter daytime easterly winds and a return of normal westerly and upslope winds will allow for more humidity recovery at night. Fuels will continue to be very dry due to prolonged heating trend.

Evacuations: El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the mandatory evacuations are still in effect for Volcanoville, Quintette and Stumpy Meadows. a virtual evacuation service center is available for residents affected by the evacuations contact the emergency preparedness line at 530-377-3256. Please note, the community of Georgetown is NOT under the evacuation order currently.

September 9, 2020 at 9:30 AM

Georgetown is NOT under an evacuation order. The morning report was truncated, people should evacuate towards Georgetown. Acreage estimate has been revised to 2,500 at this time, but mapping is in progress.

September 9, 2020 at 8:18 AM

3,500 acres brush, timber, 0% contained Fire behavior remained active overnight. Evacuation Orders for communities of Volcanoville, Quintet, and Georgetown. Threat to recreation residences, power and water facilities, recreation sites, and to critical wildlife habitat and timberlands. Road, area and trail closures in effect. Red Flag Warning in effect until Wednesday at noon for gusty winds and low RH. Southwest Type 2 IMT assigned.

September 9, 2020 at 1:03 AM

Firefighters from the Eldorado National Forest and cooperating agencies responded to the fast-moving Fork Fire in the Gerle Creek area of the Pacific Ranger District today. The fire grew quickly to 500 acres driven by east winds gusting up to 50 mph and is 0% contained.

Based on current and predicted fire behavior with winds expected to continue throughout the night, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) issued a mandatory evacuation order for 600 residents in Stumpy Meadows, Quintette and Volcanoville. A temporary evacuation center has been set up at the Cool Community Church at 863 Cave Valley Rd. in Cool. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has deputies in the area who will provide security in the evacuated areas.

Placer County Sheriff’s Department also evacuated Hell Hole reservoir & campground, French Meadows reservoir & campground and Oxbow reservoir & campground as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, the campgrounds were mostly empty after emergency closures were implemented yesterday in response to critical fire weather.

“We really want to express our thanks to the visitors who left yesterday when we asked them to,” said Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais. “The Crystal Basin is a very popular recreation area and there were a lot of people here for Labor Day weekend. Some may have cut their vacation short, but they are safe and that’s the most important thing.”

Regarding the mandatory evacuation order, EDSO Sargent Moke Auwae said, “I would urge our citizens to comply with the evacuation order for their safety and the safety of the first responders in the area. The steep terrain, weather conditions, and limited visibility are reasons to exercise abundant caution.”

The Fork Fire is burning 15 miles NE of Pollock Pines, moving west toward the King Fire burn scar in the Rubicon drainage on the Georgetown Ranger District. Currently there are 13 engines and 4 water tenders fighting the fire with additional resources on order. Air resources were also deployed but were hampered by turbulence and smoke. A Type 2 incident management team, Southwest Team 4, is enroute and will arrive Thursday.

The fire threatens recreation residences, private structures, and private land inholdings. Other values at risk include private industrial timberlands, forest service recreational and administrative facilities, recreational trail systems, hydroelectric power facilities, and transmission and distribution lines. Sensitive natural and cultural resource resources are also threatened.

September 8, 2020 at 10:13 PM

Fire is expected to be in Rubicon River drainage today and reburn in King Fire burn scar down slope/down canyon. Rubicon River is extremely steep and remote. Currently rapid rates of fire spread, spotting, torching and running in dense timber. Fork fire is headed towards King fire burn scar where there is light flashy fuels and heavy dead/down. Spotting and rapid rates of spread expected to continue through the night. East winds 25-30 sustained with gusts up to 50 mph are fueling this fire.

24 hours: Fire will continue to spread rapidly in westerly direction in the Rubicon canyon towards communities of Quintette, Volcanoville and Georgetown.

48 hours: Once fire is established in Rubicon and a return to diurnal wind patterns, it will have potential to run up slope/canyon towards Hell Hole reservoir, same path as King Fire.

September 8, 2020 at 5:00 PM

The Fork Fire in the Pacific Ranger District is now 400+ acres and is spreading toward the 2014 King Fire burn scar in the Rubicon drainage on the Georgetown Ranger District.

The fire cause is under investigation. It began off Wentworth Springs Road, East of Gerle Creek.

September 8, 2020 at 2:32 PM

A Type 2 team on order for the fire

September 8, 2020 at 2:24 PM

For public safety due to the fast-moving #ForkFire on the @EldoradoNF, the public is advised to avoid Barker Pass and McKinney-Rubicon area roads and trails on the Tahoe Basin side.

Evacuations in place for Loon Lake, Gerle Creek, and Rubicon Trail areas. Evacuations are ongoing for the Hell Hole and French Meadows recreational areas. Road closure at Ice House Road X Wentworth Road.

September 8, 2020 at 1:21 PM

The Fork fire is 100 ac w/ significant growth potential. Located off Wentworth Springs Rd. and the Gerle Creek access. E. of Gerle Creek, S. of South Creek Rd.

Evacuations are in place for Loon Lake, Gerle Creek and Rubicon trail areas.

September 8, 2020 at 1:20 PM

Burning in brush, timber, 0% contained. The fire started at 1115, currently has a rapid rate of spread. Current weather, 72 degrees, 12% RH, wind ENE@ 11mph, gusts to 37.