Helicopter Seen Fighting Tamarack Fire as Blaze Grows to 50,000 Acres

Firefighters in California battled the Tamarack Fire as it grew beyond 50,000 acres by July 23.

Footage shared by Yuba City Firefighters on July 22 shows plumes of dark smoke rising from the flames, with a helicopter tackling the blaze.

Officials said that the fire was started by a lightning strike in the Mokelumne Wilderness on July 4, and on July 23 was at four percent containment.

The flames crossed the Nevada border on July 21, according to local reports, prompting a road closure for parts of Highway 395.

As of July 23, the estimated containment date for the incident is August 31. Credit: Yuba City Firefighters via Storyful