Caldor Fire southwest of Tahoe mapped Wednesday at 126,182 acres, 11 percent contained
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 08/25/2021 - 8:28am
The Caldor Fire being fought in El Dorado County southwest of Lake Tahoe was mapped at 126,182 acres and was 11 percent contained as of Wednesday morning according to Cal Fire. Evacuation orders and warnings remained unchanged.
The fire, which is moving in a northeast direction toward the Lake Tahoe Basin, is threatening the communities of Kyburz, Strawberry, Twin Bridges and in the American River canyon along US-50 where there are a number of historic cabins. On the west side of the fire, where there's been multiple structures destroyed in the Grizzly Flats area, including one school and two fire houses, the fire threatens the communities of Fairplay, Somerset, and Mt. Aukum.
On Monday, Cal Fire Director Thom Porter said during a news conference that the Caldor Fire is now "the No. 1 priority in the nation of fires to get additional and new resources that are becoming available. It is that important." He added that the fire "is knocking on the door to the Lake Tahoe basin."
A change in wind patterns in the early hours of the evening decreased fire behavior, Cal Fire officials said in a Wednesday morning report. This allowed firing teams to progress, strengthening and improving the control lines. Throughout the Southwest and the Northeastern areas of the fire, spot fires continued to be found around the perimeter. The steep drainages and canyons in the region continued to aid erratic winds and hamper control efforts.
A slow backing fire was observed along the northern sections as the fire progressed down towards the American River along Highway 50. During the evening hours in the southern portion of the fire, minor fire growth was seen.
Highway 50 is closed in both directions from the Sly Park Road exit to Twin Bridges. Highway 50 will be open between Meyers and Twin Bridges for local residents only who reside between Meyers and Twin Bridges. These residents will be subject to providing identification and proof of residency. No traffic will be allowed west past Twin Bridges.
The numbers as of Wednesday morning:
Size: 126,182
Containment: 11%
Single Residences Threatened: 15,980
Multiple Residences Threatened: 931
Commercial Property Threatened: 577
People Evacuated:33,056
First Responder Fatalities:0
First Responder Injuries:0
Civilian Fatalities:0
Civilian Injuries:2
Structures Threatened: 17,488
Structures Damaged: 34
Single Residences Destroyed: 461
Commercial Properties Destroyed: 11
Other Minor Structures Destroyed: 165
Engines:243
Water Tenders: 27
Helicopters: 18
Hand Crews: 74
Dozers: 51
Other: 6
Total Personnel:2 667
Air Tankers: Numerous fire fighting air tankers from throughout theS tate are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.
