Fires pumping smoke into Valley

Anyone who beamed down to Gardnerville would have been unaware they were in a Valley today thanks to the pall that obscured the mountains on all sides.

Smoke from a dozen Northern California fires filled the Valley, resulting in at least one false alarm for a fire near Topaz Lake.

According to the California Department of Forestry, two dozen fires are burning in the state thanks to lightning strikes from Saturday’s storm.

According to Kristi Schroeder of the Eldorado National Forest, there are are approximately 600 fires stretching resources particulary in Shasta, Mendocino, and Lassen counties.

Some fires are merging and resources from out-of state as well as the National Guard are assisting in the battle.

Afternoon breezes should clear out most of the smoke today, according to the National Weather Service.