Recovery efforts from Tamarack Fire continue

Recovery from the Tamarack Fire is continuing as firefighters have built a line around nearly two-thirds of the 68,696-acre fire that claimed 25 structures including several homes in Douglas and Alpine counties since July 16.

On Friday, the county announced that Bently Ranch has agreed to accept the burned vegetation from Douglas Disposal at no charge.

“This offer is also extended to the general public who want to self-haul burned vegetation from the Tamarack Fire,” county spokeswoman Melissa Blosser said. “Bently Ranch only requests that customers show proof of residency in the Tamarack Fire burn area and their burned vegetation debris will be accepted at no cost. This offer has also been extended to Alpine County residents in the Tamarack Fire burn area.”

Residents cleaning up after the fire are allowed to dump spoiled food and household trash at either the temporary disposal locations or at the Douglas County Transfer Station for free.

The temporary sites are at the TRE Community Center, Carson Tahoe Regional Health Center on Highland in Holbrook and the Topaz Event Center at Highway 395 and Topaz Park Road.

The evacuation center at the Douglas County Community and Senior Center was closed earlier this week.

Four-legged evacuees have also mostly returned to their homes. The Douglas County Animal Shelter reported they took in 44 animals during the fire.

A portion of the Pacific Crest Trail closed by the Tamarack Fire will reopen early Saturday.

The trail between highways 88 and 4 is scheduled to open at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

“While we’re reopening this portion of the trail, hikers should be cautious,” said Forest Patrol Captain Don Harris. “We’re seeing more containment of the Tamarack Fire, but smoke may still be visible from the Pacific Crest Trail. Because of firefighting operations currently taking place east of the trail, hikers are encouraged to stay on and hike directly through this portion of the trail.”

Stage II fire restrictions were implemented Thursday for the Bridgeport and Carson ranger districts on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

The restrictions include all district lands in Nevada and California.

Restrictions include building a camp or stove fire, smoking outside a vehicle or building unless stopped in a yard-diameter area devoid of flammable materials, welding, setting off explosives, running a chainsaw between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m. or parking on top of dried vegetation.

Firefighters are asking motorists to avoid traveling through the fire area.

“We strongly encourage members of the public and residents to limit travel near and through the fire area to only essential travel due to continued fire activity,” fire officials said. “Heavy firefighter traffic remains throughout the area and along the roadways, and utility companies are working to restore power.”

NV Energy has been able to restore power to all of the homes and businesses along Highway 395 in the Pine Nuts as of Friday morning.