The lightning-caused Washington Fire that started June 19 in Alpine County south of Markleeville is 90 percent contained as of Friday morning, fire officials said.
Mop-up and repairing areas damaged by various suppression activities will continue through the weekend within the fire’s perimeter, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.
The fire has scorched some 17,79 acres of alpine trees, vegetation and at one time threatened the town of Markleeville.
As of Friday there are 491 personnel on the fire, including 14 hand crews, 5 engines, 4 water tenders and 5 helicopters. Through the course of fighting the fire, 2 firefighters were injured. The cost of the fire to date is $11.5 million.
Afternoon thunderstorms and heavy rain continued to favor the firefighters’ efforts, enabling them to target isolated patches of heat and reinforce fire-line construction. Firefighters have contained 90 percent of the fire area and continue to work towards full containment.
Precipitation has occurred over most portions of the fire. Good progress was been made on the rehabilitation of fire suppression disturbances such as fire-lines and equipment staging areas.
Road and Area Closures: State Highways 4 and 89 are open to through traffic. Motorists should be cautious as fire personnel and equipment work along those roads. Forest roads into the fire area will remain closed until fire suppression activities are completed.
