American Fire 54 Percent Contained
FORESTHILL, Calif. (CBS13) - Firefighters continue to gain ground on the American Fire, which is burning in the Tahoe National Forest.
Fire officials issued a press release Tuesday detailing their operations. They say the fire, which started 10 days ago and has grown to 15,000 acres, is the most active on the western and southern sides.
Overnight crews continued to build hand and bulldozer lines.
Some firefighters are mopping-up Deadwood and Foresthill Divide Roads south to the bulldozer line and will maintain fire containment. Firefighters will make indirect fire lines, a technique involving burning vegetation between the fire line and the fire. Mop-up will continue on Deadwood Ridge.
On the east side of the fire near Antoine, Manila and Screwauger Canyons, indirect line construction will continue with planes dropping fire-retardant.
Firefighters are still concerned with vegetation that continues to burn, and will monitor it closely. Wind gusts and lightning strikes still play a factor in the fight. The National Weather Service's red flag warning remains in effect until Wednesday at 11 p.m.
Duncan Peak lookout and Robinson Flat Campground are still closed. The Foresthill Divide Road is closed at the Christmas Tree Lodge, which is northeast of Foresthill.
Officials estimate the fire will be fully contained by September 1.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Smoke continues to be a health issue.
