7:10 p.m. - An air quality advisory is in effect through Friday for the area west of Dutch Flat and Alta, as the wind-driven Lowell Fire continues to fill the sky with smoke.
The Placer County Public Health Officer and Placer County Air Pollution Control District say a joint air quality advisory is meant to notify the public of the potential for poor air quality conditions west of the Dutch Flat and Alta areas, due to smoke from the Lowell Fire in Nevada County.
The fire stands at 2,302 acres, with 40 percent containment as of Tuesday evening.
-Capital Public Radio staff
1:38 p.m. - A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Dutch Flat Community Center, 933 Stockton Street, Dutch Flat, CA.
Cal Fire says it will provide current information and plans related to the Lowell Fire. Representatives will be addressing the community needs and answering questions.
The Lowell Fire was active through the night with multiple uphill runs. High temperatures and low humidity will continue Tuesday.
Access to fire is very challenging, but hundreds of firefighters are actively battling the fire in the air and on the ground.
Nevada County Public Health Department: Air quality advisory for this afternoon through tomorrow morning. The Nevada County Public Health Department has issued an air quality advisory for this afternoon through Friday. With the increase in temperature and the anticipated wind flow patterns, the potential for very unhealthy air quality for all groups is expected.
-Capital Public Radio staff
7:30 a.m. - The Lowell Fire burning in Nevada and Placer counties near the town of Alta has grown to 2,233 acres with containment at 30 percent.
Cal Fire says about 2,300 firefighters are battling the blaze and preparing for north winds.
Mandatory evacuations are still in effect for some areas. And the evacuation center has been moved to First Baptist Church on Ridge Road in Grass Valley.
Smoke from the fire has prompted air-quality officials to issue a health advisory recommending people cut back on outdoor activity.
The following road closures are in effect:
Road Closures:
- Nevada County: Red Dog Road at Chalk Bluff Road, Red Dog Road at Buckeye Ridge, Banner Quaker at Lower Green Horn Road, Banner Quaker at Chalk Bluff, & Lowell Hill Road at Mule Spring Road.
- Placer County: Secret Town at Chicago Park Power House Road & Diggin Road at Main Street in Dutch Flat.
Three of the four injured firefighters have been released from the hospital and are expected to make a full recovery. One returned to full duty while a second one will continue to recover from injuries in the next week. The two Cal Fire firefighters were identified as Seasonal Firefighter Branden Campbell and Seasonal Firefighter Brian Gatton, both from Cal Fire's Mendocino Unit.
One of two U.S. Forest Service firefighters injured remains in the hospital with serious burns. Cal Fire has activated a Serious Accident Review Team to investigate the incident.
-Capital Public Radio Staff
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