Rapidly growing Tamarack Fire in California prompts evacuations; bike race canceled [View all]

RENO – A rapidly growing wildfire in northern California, south of Lake Tahoe, forced the evacuation of a mountain town and the cancellation of an extreme bike ride through the Sierra Nevada, leaving thousands of riders and spectators stranded Saturday and rushing to flee the area.

The Tamarack Fire, which sat at an estimated 500 acres as of Friday night, has grown to over 6,600 acres and closed multiple highways in the area, according to the Alpine County Sheriff's Office.

The fire is located near Markleeville and Pleasant Valley, and mandatory evacuation orders were in place for Markleeville, Grover’s Hot Springs Park and Campground, Shay Creek, Markleeville Village and East Fork Resort.

According to Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest officials, the fire is active on all flanks and exhibiting high rates of spread as it burns timber and bush. It has destroyed at least 3 structures, authorities said.

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