Washington Fire Update: Containment Grows To 45 Percent

8:15 p.m. - Crews took advantage of the higher humidity and lower temperatures forecast for Sunday and continued to mop up on the western perimeter. 

The Washington Fire has burned 17,786 acres and is 45 percent contained. 

State Highway 4 through Markleeville, south over Ebbetts Pass, reopened for through traffic only. 

10:30 a.m. - Higher humidity and lower temperatures aided firefighters in their attack on the Washington Fire, which has been burning near the town of Markleeville since June 19. 

An update by the U.S. Forest Service says crews mopped up and patrolled the fire perimeter Saturday, and that hotshot crews continue to construct fire lines in steep, rocky terrain, with assistance from water-dropping helicopters.

Light rain in parts of the burn area helped with fire suppression.

As of mid-morning, the fire  scorched 17,697 acres and is 37 percent contained. There are 1,160 personnel working the incident.

State Highway 4 through Markleeville, south over Ebbetts Pass, will open for through traffic only. Adjacent Forest lands in and near burned are still under forest closure. State Highway 89, starting at the junction with State Highway 4 and continuing over Monitor Pass, will remain closed due to fire activity.

Wolf Creek Road will remain closed as well until fire activity diminishes in the area.

Area closures have been issued for the fire area and can be found at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/htnf/alerts-notices and http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field.html

The Pacific Crest trail has not been impacted by the Washington Fire and is currently open in all directions.