Tamarack Fire Explodes to 21,000 Acres; Zero Containment; ‘It Happened So Quickly’

The simmering volcanic eruption erupted, grew to 21,000 acres [21,000 ha] on Saturday and sent a wall of wind-blown flames to a community evacuated from the Sierrale of Markleeville.

The Tamarack Fire started on July 4 due to lightning strikes, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The organization said it had been monitoring the blaze daily before it erupted on Friday.

A rapidly growing wildfire has forced the cancellation of the “Death Ride,” an extreme cyclist traversing Sierra Nevada.

Exits were located at Markleeville, Grover's Hot Springs Park and Campground, Shay Creek, Markleeville Village and East Fork Resort. On Saturday afternoon, a speeding fire forced more evacuations or areas of Alpine Village and Woodfords.

120 workers have been battling the blaze since Saturday evening and were forced to focus on "opportunity" to fight the blaze.

"Tonight the firefighters will continue to put out the fire when they can do so safely," said Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest officials. "We use a variety of strategies, national barriers and targeted opportunities."