Scientists took to the skies to observe the massive, 40,000-foot-high cumulus clouds emitted by the mosquito fire, and one spoke to SFGATE about the phenomenon. “It really hit everyone on the plane really hard how big and destructive the fire was,” said Alan Brewer, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “It was like flying right next to the wall of the Grand Canyon.” Researchers are trying to learn more about California’s devastating wildfires by taking aerial observations. Read the full story here.
Mosquito fire spreads north as winds intensify September 11, 6:50 am Disturbing winds pushed the mosquito fire north and northeast, driving the massive California wildfire closer to communities around Foresthill. According to a late night update from Cal Fire, crews are “working to contain the fire on Volcano Road as well as north of Quintet.” “Firefighters are working diligently to establish containment lines along the Foresthill Road area and ahead of the head of the fire to the north and northeast,” the update said. “A spot fire in the Chicken Hawk area broke out yesterday and firefighters were able to contain the fire with the help of bulldozers and aircraft [Saturday].” Tonight, the #MosquitoFire has burned 37,326 acres in Placer and El Dorado counties, 0% contained. More than 5,800 structures are threatened by the fire and it is estimated that more than 11,000 people have been evacuated. We will continue to provide updates as soon as we can. pic.twitter.com/TjsPbUjnZ0 — Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) September 11, 2022 Saturday saw an abatement in the area’s high temperatures and low humidity, allowing crews to better handle the southern portion of the fire. Bulldozer lines were established there, and lines established on previous Tahoe National Forest fires also helped crews win against the blaze. As of its last mapping on Saturday afternoon, the fire has burned 37,326 acres. There is no limitation. This is a carousel. Use the Next and Previous buttons to navigate 1 of 14 A burned road sign is seen near Michigan Bluff during the Mosquito Fire in unincorporated Placer County, California Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)Stephen Lam/APShow MoreShow Less2of14tlu cuts a line of hands while battling the Mosquito Fire near Michigan Bluff in unincorporated Placer County, California Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)Stephen Lam/APShow MoreShow Less3of144of14 Firefighters battled a blaze in Foresthill on September 8, 2022, protecting the town from the mosquito fire. Placer County Sheriff’s Office Show More Show Less5of14Cal Firefighters wade through embers along Michigan Bluff Road during the Mosquito Fire near Michigan Bluff in unincorporated Placer County, California Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. (Stephen Lam/San Francishentem) APS Show MoreShow Less6of147of14 Researchers from NOAA, San Jose State and the University of Nevada conducted research on the massive fire cloud emitted by the California Mosquito Fire on September 8, 2022. NOAASShow More Show Less8of14 A huge pyrocumulus cloud rises from the mosquito fire, around 7 p.m. of Thursday, September 8, 2022. Notification Wildfire.orgShow MoreShow Less9of1410of14 A damaged structure sits in a clearing as the Mosquito Fire burns along Michigan Bluff Rd. in unincorporated Placer County, California, on Wednesday, September 7, 2022. Noah Berger/APShow MoreShow Less11of14 Firefighters battle the mosquito fire burning on Michigan Bluff Rd. in unincorporated Placer County, California, on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. Noah Berger/APShow MoreShow Less12of1413of14 Firefighters battle the Mosquito Fire burning on Michigan Bluff Rd. in unincorporated Placer County, California, on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. Noah Berger/APShow MoreShow Less14of14
New evacuation orders and warnings for Placer County
September 10, 6:45 p.m New evacuation orders and warnings have been issued by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. The latest evacuation orders, announced Saturday night, apply to Zones 21 and 22. Evacuation warnings were also issued for Zones 23 and 25. See the latest warnings and orders here. As of Saturday, 11,117 people have been evacuated from areas in Placer and El Dorado counties threatened by the Mosquito Fire. Crews made progress Friday building a containment line on the northwest side of the fire, and the fire’s growth slowed overnight as temperatures dropped and humidity increased. However, stronger winds from an approaching low-pressure system are expected to fan the fire and increase fire activity Saturday, according to an update from the Nevada-Yuba-Placer and Amador-El Dorado, Tahoe and El Cal Fire’s Dorado National Forests. and the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
