The bill for the 15,700-acre American Fire northeast of Foresthill reached $12.5 million Wednesday, with containment targeted for Sept. 1.

The fire is being described by fire officials as 63 percent contained, with firefighters watching the skies for thunderhead formations and possible lightning.

The fire has been determined to be human-caused, but Mike Johnson, information officer for the California Interagency Agency Management fire strategy team, said Wednesday that he can’t comment on the investigation or provide any additional information.

While Auburn was again free of smoke Wednesday, Colfax was suffering from a thick haze from the American Fire as atmospheric conditions changed.

On Wednesday, an army of 1,822 firefighters and support personnel was mopping up containment on the west side of the fire while improving fire lines on the north and northeast edge.

Johnson said efforts to contain the fire in steep terrain on the east and southeast perimeters were continuing, with crews directly attacking the flames where possible.

Smoke will continue to be generated in heavy volume, especially from the densely timbered Antoine, Manilla, Screrauger and Cavanah canyons, he said.

With a red-flag warning issued by the National Weather Service for thunder and erratic winds, the management team is prepared to change plans if a storm cell moves through.

“Thanks to the technology we have on weather, we can plan for that happening,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the initial cost estimate for the fire, which broke out Aug. 1, is $12.5 million.

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