SACRAMENTO, California — Smoke from the Crozier Fire will impact air quality in much of the Central Sierra between I-80 and US-50, including the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Smoke early Thursday has been impacting primarily the Interstate 80 corridor and north Tahoe, but as the winds pick up out of the west this afternoon, the smoke will shift. Impacted areas will be mainly between I-80 and US-50, including the majority of the Tahoe Basin and South Lake Tahoe.
Areas impacted by smoke from the Crozier Fire will see air quality index values above 200, which is unhealthy for everyone. Avoid long periods outside in the smoke, keep windows closed, and run air conditioning and air purifiers.
Smoke will continue in the Tahoe Basin through the late evening hours until the wind begins to relax again. So overnight Thursday and Friday morning will see smoke return to the I-80 corridor and the Truckee area.
This pattern looks to continue into the weekend.
If you're planning on spending time up in Tahoe over the next few days, smoke will definitely impact your plans. Unhealthy air quality in the 150-250+ range will be present at times.
The valley won't see much – if any – smoke from the fire thanks to westerly winds, the Delta Breeze, and a helpful weather pattern that keeps smoke from backing to the west.
ABOUT THE FIRE
The Crozier Fire broke out overnight in El Dorado County and has burned about 706 acres with 5% containment as of Thursday morning.
The wildfire is burning north of Placerville. Cal Fire said the fire is in a remote part of El Dorado National Forest. In Cal Fire's Thursday morning update, the agency said the fire is " burning in a remote part of the forest with heavy timber, thick brush, and difficult access."
The wildfire broke out around 1:20 a.m. on August 7 northwest of Slate Mountain, according to Cal Fire.
On Wednesday night the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office expanded the evacuation order zone to the greater portion of the Garden Valley, Georgetown, Volcanoville, Mosquito and Quintet areas.
There's a temporary evacuation point at the Placerville Library at 345 Fairlane, Placerville.
The El Dorado County Animal Services Shelter at 6435 Capitol Avenue, Diamond Springs will be open to house animals displaced by the evacuation order.
WATCH MORE: Crozier Fire latest and smoke forecast | Thursday morning update:
