Caldor fire near Tahoe skips Highway 50 amid high winds



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– Updates: Get information on Caldor’s Fire from the Eldorado National Forest.
– Information line: 530-303-2455
– Evacuations: Receive the latest information from United States Forest Service and from a map released by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
– Plans: Find with the Forest Service.

The raging fire in California southwest of Lake Tahoe crossed Interstate 50 on Saturday as high winds pushed the blaze closer to more homes and communities. On its last map on Sunday morning, the fire burned 98,149 acres and is zero percent contained.

Gusts of wind blew up flames on the highway near Kyburz, a small community 18 miles east of Pollock Pines. A 46 mile stretch of Hwy 50 is closed in both directions between Sly Park Road and the Hwy 50/89 roundabout in Meyers. There is no estimated reopening date, according to Caltrans District 3.

“The main fire has spread northeasterly, aided by winds and patches of up to a mile,” Cal Fire said in its latest incident report. “The fire damaged wood continues to spread to all areas, causing a deployment and a flow of embers. Ignitions are easily established in the very dry receptive fuel bed. “


Cal Fire spokesperson Captain Stephen Horner said on Sunday morning that the point fire was burning in a dense wooded area and winds were pushing it into a canyon. “It’s kind of big, but not really huge right now,” Horner said.

He added: “This is turning out to be the biggest and biggest fire in California history. It’s far from over. Even some of the areas around Grizzly Flats and Pollock Pines are still very active. . We’re trying to put this fire in a box and it just doesn’t work out that way. “

On Sunday, teams will focus on preventing other point fires from crossing the main road which is a thoroughfare between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.

Evacuations remained in effect for tens of thousands of people in El Dorado County and pushed further into neighboring Amador County, moving closer to South Lake Tahoe.

READ MORE: Thousands of people. Six roads out. It’s Tahoe’s evacuation nightmare.

“We know that this fire did things that no one could have predicted, but this is how firefighting has been in the state this year,” said the head of the national forest supervisor. ‘Eldorado, Jeff Marsolais.

The Caldor Fire ignited August 14 in the Eldorado National Forest near the small town of Grizzly Flats south of Pollock Pines, burning a destructive path through the community of around 1,200 people. Photos of the aftermath show an elementary school, post office and houses turned into ash piles. Cal Fire said more than 328 structures have been destroyed and damage assessments are still ongoing. A map of the damaged structures is available here.

US Forest Service officials announced the complete closure of the Eldorado National Forest until September 30 due to the fire. The Rubicon Trail is also closed.

A bear was seen crossing Mormon Emigrant Road during the Caldor Fire in California's Eldorado National Forest on August 20, 2021.

A bear was seen crossing Mormon Emigrant Road during the Caldor Fire in California’s Eldorado National Forest on August 20, 2021.

Agence Neal Waters / Anadolu via Getty Images

On Saturday night, the Heavenly Ski Resort announced its closure for the season.

“Due to the ongoing risk of forest fires in the Tahoe area, Heavenly is now closed for the summer,” the resort wrote on its site. “We thank our guests and staff for a great summer and now turn our attention to winter. We will be ready when the snow clears and look forward to welcoming you back for the 2021/22 winter season.”

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