Courtesy Westfall / USFS
TRUCKEE — The smoke that lies heavy in the air in Eagle and surrounding valleys is expected to linger as the American fire continues to burn.
An air-quality report issued Monday via www.airnow.gov warned that Northern Nevada’s air is “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” The smoke likely won’t affect the general public, but those with lung diseases, older adults and children are advised to take precaution when going outside.
Officials estimate the fire will be contained by Aug. 28. In the meantime, smoke is expected to be thicker in the evenings.
California and federal emergency crews continue to battle the growing wildfire, which is emitting heavy smoke west of Truckee 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 10 miles northeast of Foresthill, Calif., roughly a half-hour west of Lake Tahoe.
USFS estimated its size at 14,765 acres as of 11 a.m. Monday.
Roughly 1,850 people from Calfire and USFS and other agencies are fighting the fire, which ignited Aug. 10. The fire was at 49 percent containment Monday morning.