Light rain observed on parts of the Mosquito Fire

The fire 35 miles northeast of Sacramento was very active Sunday, spreading east up to a mile

3 p.m. September 12, 2022

Mosquito Fire map
Mosquito Fire map. The red line was the perimeter at 1:19 p.m. PDT Sept. 12, 2022. The white line was the perimeter on the morning of September 11, 2022. Three previous fire footprints are also shown.

On Sunday the east side of the Mosquito Fire spread as much as a mile to the east. Having already burned through most of the footprint from the 2007 Ralston Fire, for the first time it moved into the 2013 American Fire and the 2014 King Fire. It did not burn enough of those two more recent fires to get a good picture of how likely it is to spread completely through those eight and nine year old footprints.

At 1:19 p.m. Monday it was mapped by a fixed wing aircraft at about 48,500 acres. The blaze is 35 miles northeast of Sacramento.

Monday afternoon satellite and ground based cameras showed clouds, haze or smoke, and scattered thunderstorms in the general area of the fire. Light showers were reported in some areas. If strong outflow winds from passing thunderstorms hit the fire area without any rain it could increase the rate of spread significantly, sometimes in unexpected directions.

Crews working Sunday night on the southwest side between Foresthill and Volcanoville had to stop a strategic firing operation due to a small amount of rain. If conditions permit they hope to continue the operation today.

The weather forecast for Monday through Wednesday is for light to moderate winds of 2 to 9 mph generally from the southwest during the day  with minimum humidities in the 30s and 40s. Thursday through Saturday the winds will be very light while the humidity will be in the 40s.

In the video below watch how smoke from the Mosquito Fire overtakes Reno, Nevada.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

One thought on “Light rain observed on parts of the Mosquito Fire”

  1. Hi Bill and Readers,

    Note the observed fact the image showing the past wildfires of this relatively small region. Especially the fact that present fire overlaps those of 2013 and 2014. Which seems to indicate that wildfires cannot be prevented nor controlled if the uncontrollable atmospheric conditions are just RIGHT.

    Given this observed fact, it would seem to be to harvest marketable timber as soon as “reasonably” possible which depends upon market conditions. I bought a property beside a national forest knowing the existence of wildfires. When my insurance company would not insure my cabin, I knew I had a good insurance company.

    People need to take responsibility for their actions.

    Have a good day, Jerry

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