Mosquito Fire updates: Wildfire grows overnight, improved Saturday smoke forecast

The Mosquito Fire grew overnight Friday as it continues to tear through the rugged foothills of Placer and El Dorado counties, threatening more than 3,000 homes.

The blaze is now estimated at 33,754 acres, an increase of roughly 4,000 acres since the day before, Cal Fire said Saturday morning. The fire is threatening nearly 5,900 structures in Foresthill, Volcanoville, Georgetown and other settlements in the Sierra foothills.

The fire, which started Tuesday evening near the Oxbow Reservoir in Placer County, is still 0% contained, according to Cal Fire.

Several communities remain under evacuation orders, including Foresthill, Georgetown, Todd Valley, Volcanoville and Michigan Bluff. The El Dorado National Forest Twitter account reported Saturday that 11,117 people have been evacuated.

An estimated 1,700 fire personnel are battling the blaze. The cause has not been determined, Cal Fire said.

Fire officials have said structures have been destroyed in Volcanoville. There are also reports of damage in Foresthill.

“The Fire did impact the town of Foresthill (Thursday) night and (Friday) morning,” the Foresthill Fire District wrote on its website Friday night. “While we do not have specific details regarding property loss, we do know that the crews from around the state assigned to protect our community did a valiant job of minimizing property damage and we are thankful for their efforts in very adverse conditions.”

Sacramento region smoke forecast

The air throughout much of the Sierra foothills near the fire remains hazardous Saturday morning. But the Sacramento Valley could see relief Saturday and Sunday.

Air quality readings Saturday morning in the Auburn area showed “hazardous” conditions, meaning residents should avoid all outdoor physical activity. Similar conditions were observed in the Grass Valley and Nevada City area. The U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program wrote Saturday the air quality around Auburn and the foothills would improve slightly this afternoon but still remain at unhealthy levels.

Folsom, Granite Bay, Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln all had air quality in the “good” to “moderate” range. The air was good throughout most of Sacramento County.

Eric Kurth, a forecaster with the National Weather Service, said offshore winds should blow the smoke to the east Saturday but that “there’s still going to be quite a bit of smoke in the foothills area.” The wind could push some smoke and haze from the coast into the region.

Higher elevations south of Highway 50 could see some showers or thunderstorms, he said. That moisture will move north on Sunday, but will likely remain east of the Mosquito Fire.

Firefighters battling the blaze will see relief from the heat wave after Saturday. After days of triple-digit readings, the high temperature in the Foresthill area was forecast to hit 88 degrees Saturday.

Burglary suspect arrested inside fire zone

Placer County sheriff’s deputies said Friday they had arrested an El Dorado County man suspected of burglarizing a home inside the evacuation zone.

Logan Gross, 20, was arrested on suspicion of burglarizing a home on the 6000 block of Parkwood Court in Todd Valley, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said on social media.

Deputies said they found items taken from the home inside Gross’ truck.

Law enforcement agencies said they have been patrolling the evacuation zones of Placer and El Dorado counties to protect homes from break-ins.

This story was originally published September 10, 2022 at 9:23 AM with the headline "Mosquito Fire updates: Wildfire grows overnight, improved Saturday smoke forecast."