SIERRA COUNTY – The Tahoe National Forest bear fire grew to 2,000 acres Tuesday afternoon thanks to a mix of warming temperatures, dry fuel conditions and strong winds, officials said.
The wildfire was 0% contained, the US Forest Service said in a statement update Tuesday afternoon.
The jump in fire activity led the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office to extend evacuation warnings to include zones SIE-E058 and SIE-E059, according to the USFS.
Earlier, an evacuation order was issued for the community of Sierra Brooks and warnings were issued for zones SIE-E022, SIE-E023, SIE-E027, SIE-E028 and SIE-E029.
Crews, meanwhile, worked to establish containment lines while planes dropped retardant and water on the flames.
Winds Tuesday night were expected to remain steady out of the west at about 10 mph.
The Bear Fire was reported around 2 p.m. Monday off Bear Valley Road, south of Sierra Brooks, according to the USFS. The cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation.
Check back for updates.