EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – A fire north of Placerville, Calif. that started early yesterday morning, Aug. 7, among other fires burning over the west, is sending a haze over the Tahoe Basin.

AirNow has measured the current air quality index at moderate over the Tahoe region. The index gets progressively worse moving west from Truckee on Interstate 80. The air becomes unhealthy for sensitive groups in regions near Emigrant Gap and becomes unhealthy near Forebay until close to Auburn.

AirNow has forecasted the south half of Tahoe to become unhealthy for sensitive groups throughout the day with the north half projected to continue to be moderate.

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The National Weather Service predicts widespread haze before 11 p.m. tonight with areas of smoke between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. They expect haze tomorrow morning, Friday, Aug. 9 between 8-9 a.m. and again at night between 11 p.m. to midnight.

The Cozier fire has burned over 1,100 acres. Evacuations orders are in place for Garden Valley, Georgetown, Volcanoville, Mosquito, Quintette, and Swansboro areas. Information on the fire and current evacuation orders are available on Cal Fire’s website or perimetermap.com.

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The U.S. Forest Service – Eldorado National Forest reports the fire burning in a remote forest area difficult to access with heavy timber and thick brush. Crews are engaging with air tankers, helicopters, and ground resources.

The service says hot daytime temperatures, gusty winds and low humidities are causing elevated fire activity.