About 50 acres 3 miles east of Foresthill continued to burn Sunday afternoon.

The fire was one of many along the Sierra Nevada that started because of a dry lightning storm Saturday afternoon.

“The Foresthill Fire is the one of most concern right now,” said Jane LaBoa, public information officer for the U.S. Forest Service on Sunday.

The Foresthill Fire is primarily on steep slopes off Mosquito Ridge Road, which was closed to motorists Sunday morning. A Placer County strike team responded, which included five engines coming from Roseville, Rocklin, South Placer and Foresthill.

As of Sunday evening, the fire was about 50 to 75 percent contained. Officials said Mosquito Ridge Road could open as early as Tuesday morning.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Jim Mathias said fire crews were working one side of the hill to create a break line in front of the fire. On the other side, a bulldozer was being used to make a break line.

“It’s so steep it’s difficult to do everything we want to do,” Mathias said.

Mathias said crews were working to keep the fire from reaching the roadway. One helicopter was making water drops over the more intense part of the fire.

He said crews were hoping to contain the fire by Sunday evening.

“If we had all the resources we need, it would be a four-to-six hour fire,” Mathias said. “But because of all the other fires, we can’t get all the resources we need right now.”

As more than 10 confirmed fires burned across the Sierra Nevada Sunday, state official set up a priority list, according to JoAnn Cartoscelli, public information officer at Cal Fire. Fires that threatened life and then structures received extra aide or air support first.

That was the case for a 10-acre spot fire that threatened several homes in Newcastle along Welcome Road. No evacuations were made, Cartoscelli said. About six engines, a hand crew, water tender and aircraft were dispatched to the fire after it broke out at about 1:30 Sunday afternoon.

A few hours later, aircrews were called off from the scene, and crews were most likely beginning the mop up stage, Cartoscelli said.

Officials suspect the fire was caused by a lawn mower, Cartoscelli said. She stressed that residents should clear defensible space, mow lawns or do other type of yard work before 10 a.m. or in the early evening hours after temperatures have cooled.

She added that those who start a fire from a lawn mower are liable for suppression costs.

Mathias said Sunday’s outbreak of fires is unusual for this time of year.

“It’s very unusual for this time of year,” Mathias said. “We’ve been plagued with two years of drought and coupled with the irregular weather we’re having, it’s been hotter and drier than usual this time of year.”

LaBoa said that Sunday’s cooler temperatures and light winds out of the east made for slightly better fire-fighting conditions. On Saturday, temperatures reached 100 degrees.

LaBoa said most of the fires along the Sierra Nevada were contained in the North and Middle Fork Drainage along the American River. She said she had no immediate information as to whether river rafters in the area were threatened.

One area rafting company did have to change their plans.

“It stopped rafting 100 percent. Nobody was on the middle fork today,” said Donna Hunter, owner of Mariah Wilderness Expeditions.

Hunter said her company took rafters down the south fork of the American River instead.

LaBoa said that while campers in French Meadows could not use Mosquito Ridge Road to get to or leave the campgrounds, they were not in immediate danger of area fires. She said campers could exit using Foresthill Road or other alternate routes.

As of Sunday afternoon, Mathias remained optimistic about the Foresthill Fire’s outcome.

“We’re making good progress,” he said. “It just depends on whether Mother Nature cooperates.”

For more information on the Foresthill Fire, call (530) 367-6223, (530) 367-6224 or (530) 367-6226.

The Journal's Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com or post a comment.