Incident UpdateMosquito Fire

Good overnight humidity recovery moderated fire behavior this morning and into the afternoon. Light southwest winds assisted with clearing some smoke this afternoon, however a thick smoke layer shaded portions of the east side of the fire which helped slow new growth. Firefighters focused on securing the west corner of the fire down in the Middle Fork of the American River below the communities of Todd Valley and Foresthill. Crews are finishing the last remaining portions of firing operations along the control lines that tie into the river. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are assisting ground resources with aerial ignitions to strategically burn remaining vegetation inside control lines to secure.

Firefighters are working diligently along the western edge of the fire along the Foresthill Road corridor to mop up and secure all control lines to mitigate any threats of slop overs. On the north corner of the fire, crews worked throughout the day to hold and secure the control lines along the Foresthill Divide the Deadwood Roads where strategic firing operations took place last night. These actions are crucial in holding the fire south of Westville. Critically dry fuels continue to fuel the Mosquito Fire’s steady growth to the east. Crews, dozers, and heavy equipment continue the dangerous and grueling task of building indirect control lines in steep and rugged terrain. Crews are also utilizing existing roads systems, such as the Eleven Pines Road, to assist in building a solid control line to hold advancing fire. Crews are constructing a combination of dozer and hand lines from Wentworth Springs Road north towards Devil’s Peak in the effort of holding fire in the Rubicon River drainage. Firefighters continue to mop up remaining hot spots and patrol the southern edge of the fire along Volcanoville Road. Cooperators and utility companies continue work in these areas to assess and start needed infrastructure repair with the goal of repopulating the communities as soon as it becomes safe to do so.

An incoming weather system is forecasted to bring increased winds and precipitation into the fire area starting Saturday and into early next week. Firefighters will continue to strengthen and secure all control lines in preparation for these changing conditions.