Evacuations underway as Caldor Fire explodes in El Dorado County, sends smoke to Carson City area
The Caldor Fire burning southwest of Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County south of Pollock Pines has ballooned to 6,500 acres. There is no containment. The fire Is burning In the steep Middle Fork Cosumnes River Canyon East of the Omo Ranch area, four miles south of Grizzly Flats and is sending smoke and ash into the Lake Tahoe Basin and northern and western Nevada.
The Caldor Fire started August 14. Extreme fire behavior was observed overnight causing immediate mandatory evacuations in the area and structure loss was observed, according to fire Incident Management. The actual number of destroyed, damaged structures is unknown as fire conditions are not yet safe to bring in damage assessment teams. The fire continues to pose a high risk to multiple populated communities.
Dense smoke from the fire has made its way into the Lake Tahoe Basin, Carson City, Carson Valley and Reno areas as of Tuesday.
The forecast over the next three days calls for high winds and hot temperatures, possibly leading to rapid fire growth.
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for the following areas:
MANDATORY EVACUATON ORDERS have been issued for the following areas:
Grizzly Flats/Somerset
- All roads off of Grizzly Flat Rd., east of Mt. Aukum Rd. in Somerset(Known as Four Corners) into Grizzly Flats Proper
Happy Valley
- All roads off of Happy Valley Road, east of Mt. Aukum Rd. in Somerset to Sciaroni
- Leoni Meadows
- Saw Town Creek
- Caldor area including North South Road
- Dogtown Creek South of Caldor Road
- Barney Ridge East of Omo Ranch Road
- Omo Ranch Road to North South Road
- Caldor area including North South Road
- Pi’Pi Valley up to Armstrong Hill
EVACUATON WARNINGS have been issued for the following areas:
- Communities of Omo Ranch Proper, Omo Ranch East, and Omo Ranch South.
SHELTER INFORMATION:
An evacuation center is open at:
The Fireman’s Hall
3734 China Garden Road
Diamond Springs, CA
For small animal shelter needs, contact the El Dorado County Animal Services at (530) 621 – 5795
Large Animal Evacuation Shelter:
— Amador County Fairgrounds