Highway 395 open as Tamarack Fire stops at 66,744 acres

The Tamarack Fire stopped growing at 66,744 acres, as of Monday morning’s situation report.

More than 1,600 firefighters are working the fire as three-dozen hand crews and 121 engines took advantage of the slow-down to overhaul hot spots.

The fire remains at 27 percent contained.

Highway 395 reopened on Monday morning, but most of the traffic consisted of fire apparatus and NV Energy trucks.

The fire burned right up to the highway in Double Spring Flat, claiming as many as 13 structures.

As of Monday morning, there has been no word on when residents will be allowed back in their homes along the Highway 395 corridor.

Caltrans has reopened U.S. 395 in northern Mono County. The highway was originally closed on July 21 due to the expanding Tamarack Fire. Drivers are now able to reach the California-Nevada state line, and in Nevada, they can travel between Holbrook Junction and Gardnerville as the Nevada Department of Transportation has lifted its closure on U.S. 395 as well.