Size: 76,781 acres

Containment: 60%
Total Personnel: 1,543 

CURRENT SITUATION

Fire activity Friday proved minimal, with mostly smoldering and creeping interior activity. Isolated pockets of heat produced the most noticeable smoke and accounted for most of the observed activity. After a cool start to the day, humidity decreased and temperatures increased through the afternoon, setting the stage for a more visible fire activity.

Warm seasonal temperatures are expected over the next few days, returning fuels to critically dry conditions. Heavier fuels, which did not experience substantial moisture retention last week, have potential to rekindle and create flareups. Gustier winds are expected to return to the fire footprint earlier next week, and fire weather forecasters have indicated the potential for an uptick in activity. Large fire growth is not anticipated, but firefighters are prepared to apply aggressive and direct firefighting tactics if fire behavior rapidly changes.

Crews experienced in hazard tree removal will focus their attention to felling operations on trees which have the potential to threaten firefighter safety and control lines along the entire fire perimeter. A special hazard tree mitigation crew is expected to be fully operational within the next few operational days. Along the western flank of the fire, containment lines are expected to hold well, thanks to the aggressive and successful work of crews in the early weeks of the fire. Fire personnel from both the ground and the air are continually assessing conditions for opportunities to tie eastern perimeter containment lines together, but in steep, inaccessible terrain, this has proven exceptionally difficult. Air resources will be utilized to provide support to and ahead of crews on the ground.

Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority for incident managers and cooperating agencies. Traffic in and around the communities impacted by emergency response operations is expected to be heavier over the weekend as residents return to their communities and recreational activities intensify. The public is encouraged to remain vigilant for rapidly changing and extensive vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The Mosquito Fire has unfortunately changed the urban interface landscape and has the potential to create visual distractions while driving. Please be mindful of visual distractions and other drivers on and along familiar routes.

EVACUATIONS — PLACER COUNTY

Placer County Sheriff’s Office: tinyurl.com/53rt9d48, Mosquito Fire information: tinyurl.com/234azf6d

No Evacuation Orders or Warnings are in place for Placer County.

EVACUATIONS — EL DORADO COUNTY

Interactive evacuation map: bit.ly/3ATtqao, Mosquito Fire information: edcgov.us/mosquito-fire-information

No Evacuation Orders or Warnings are in place for El Dorado County.

ROAD CLOSURES

View road closures in the vicinity of the Mosquito Fire on the Caltrans interactive map:  quickmap.dot.ca.gov.

ANIMAL SHELTERS

El Dorado County:

·       Diamond Springs Shelter, 6435 Capitol Avenue, Diamond Springs, California (small animals only)

·       Rancho Murieta Equestrian Center: call 916-985-7334 for information (Closing 9-25-22)

·       Flying M Ranch, 5421 Buck Mountain Road, Placerville, California (large animals only)

NATIONAL FOREST CLOSURES

National Forest System lands, roads, and trails in the vicinity of the Mosquito Fire are closed under multiple orders. Maps are included in the Orders linked below.

·       Rubicon Jeep Trail: Tahoe National Forest Order No. 17-22-10 (tinyurl.com/3uapupe5),                    Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Order No. 19-22-07 (tinyurl.com/2p9ckfcr)

·       Tahoe National Forest Order No. 17-22-09 (tinyurl.com/2dfxw6v9)

·       Eldorado National Forest Order No. 03-22-17 (tinyurl.com/3rtd9rm9)

POST FIRE ASSISTANCE

El Dorado County Local Assistance Center (tinyurl.com/9svdyrr3):

·       330 Fair Lane, Placerville, California

·       September 24, 2022 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)