Massive cloud of smoke from Lake fire is blanketing parts of Nevada

A large plume of smoke from the massive 23,199-acre wildfire in the San Bernardino National Forest is blanketing the southernmost parts of Nevada, officials said.

The National Weather Service in Reno released a satellite photograph Thursday showing a cloud of smoke from the Lake fire making its way across Nevada. A 17,205-acre blaze, dubbed the Washington fire, burning eight miles south of Markleeville, Calif., could also be contributing to the cloud, the weather service said.

The smoke has prompted an advisory for Yucca, Morongo and Lucerne valleys, and neighboring communities, according to the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District.

Flames from the Lake fire have also left a massive burn scar in its path, according to images taken by a NASA satellite.

On Thursday, fire officials said the blaze, which is 21% contained, took a significant turn and is burning southeast of Onyx Summit.

Two incidents involving drones hindered firefighting efforts Wednesday night, fire officials said. The drones entered airspace over the blaze, and fire officials immediately grounded aircraft for pilot safety.

With the firefighting aircraft down, the blaze grew.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has advised residents in Lake Williams, Erwin Lake and Baldwin Lake to be prepared to evacuate.

Mandatory evacuations were in effect for the Burns Canyon and Rimrock areas. Pioneertown was under voluntary evacuation.

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