Smoke from the Sand Fire may bypass Lake Tahoe

Healthy air at Tahoe right now.

The Sand Fire, south of Placerville, has burned more than 1,300 acres. The fire started yesterday and is 20% contained. Smoke from the fire is impacting air quality in the foothills near Placerville and in the Sacramento Valley. 

According to the AirNow.gov website, the air quality around the Lake Tahoe Basin was “moderate” today. The National Weather Service in Reno is expecting the winds to turn westerly on Sunday, pushing smoke away from Lake Tahoe. Visibility should remain above 6-10 miles.

The Sand Fire is burning East of Hwy. 49, 5 miles north of the Town of Plymouth. The blaze has burned 5 residences and 7 outbuildings. The cause is under investigation.

Air quality in Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Counties is forecast to be “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” on Sunday.