Bear Fire in Tahoe National Forest grows to 2,000 acres

SIERRA COUNTY – The Bear Fire in the Tahoe National Forest 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 U.S. Forest Service said in an update Tuesday afternoon.

The jump in fire activity led the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office to expand 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, were working to establish containment lines while aircraft dropped retardant and water on the flames.

Winds on Tuesday night were expected to remain steady from 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 undetermined and under investigation.

Check back for updates.