Firefighters are working to suppress the American Fire that began the afternoon of Saturday, August 10 in a heavily forested area with steep terrain on Deadwood Ridge, approximately 17 miles northeast of Foresthill in the Tahoe National Forest.

The current fire size is estimated at approximately 1,200 acres, with heavy smoke making it difficult to obtain precise numbers. Officials are advising people to take appropriate precautions concerning smoke, as it is likely to continue in the areas of Foresthill, Auburn, Nevada City, and the Sacramento Valley over the next several days.

Both the Nevada County Air District and the Placer County Air Pollution Control District either have or are expected to issue air quality advisories today.

There are no current road closures, but people are being asked to stay out of the fire area for their own safety and the safety of firefighting personnel.

The town of Foresthill is not endangered, and no evacuations have been ordered although individuals with active mining claims in the area are being contacted.

Multiple Forest Service and Cal Fire resources including engines, crews, dozers, smokejumpers, air tankers, and helicopters are working on the incident, with additional resources on order.

Yesterday the fire crossed the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River and is burning toward the Last Chance area. Firefighters reported a moderate rate of spread with short uphill runs yesterday, and more of the same is expected today. Firefighters were able to make some progress on line construction overnight.

Suppression efforts are focused mainly on the Deadwood Ridge and Last Chance sides of the fire. While firefighters are working to protect cultural resources from the fire and from suppression impacts, firefighter and public safety are the first priorities.

The Central Coast #7 Type II Incident Management Team has arrived and is expected to take control of the fire either later today or early tomor

By: National Weather Service Sacramento CA

August 12, 2013 – The American Fire is burning around 17 miles Northeast of Foresthill in the Tahoe National Forest.

Smoke from the American fire may again spread down into the foothills, including Auburn and Grass Valley, Tuesday morning.

The smoke projection is from a particulate dispersion model run.

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