The American Fire emits a plume of smoke on Monday afternoon visible from Interstate 80 about a half hour or so west of Truckee.
TRUCKEE — Smoke that filtered into the region Sunday afternoon is expected to linger this week as a 1,200-acre fire continues to burn in Tahoe National Forest.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the American fire is burning in a heavily forested area of very steep terrain on Deadwood Ridge, about 17 miles northeast of Foresthill, Calif.
While officials estimate its size at 1,200 acres, heavy smoke is making it difficult to obtain precise numbers, according to a 2 p.m. Monday update from the Forest Service. The fire’s size is up from an estimated 800 acres Sunday evening.
“Access to the fire is limited, and firefighter safety is a concern due to difficult terrain,” according to the Forest Service.
The fire, which started Saturday, has crossed the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River. Multiple USFS and Calfire engines, crews, dozers, air tankers and helicopters are at the scene, and smoke jumpers are being used.
The fire is not threatening any homes or structures. Its cause is under investigation.
Foresthill is about an hour west of Lake Tahoe.