Evacuees in South Lake Tahoe city limits allowed to return home as Caldor Fire restrictions ease

Less than a week after being forced from their homes due to the encroaching Caldor Fire, residents in the city limits of South Lake Tahoe are now able to return home as of 3 p.m. Sunday. Mandatory evacuation orders are being lifted, but the area will still be in a yellow zone, with residents urged to be aware at all times of the news about the Caldor Fire.

All other areas within El Dorado County near South Lake Tahoe remain under Evacuation Order, including Christmas Valley, Meyers and North Upper Truckee.

This latest change comes a day after mandatory evacuation orders on the Douglas County side of Lake Tahoe were lifted on Saturday.

Caltrans tweeted earlier Sunday about the reopening of US50 in South Lake Tahoe city limits, and SR89 from South Lake Tahoe to Tahoma. They then removed the tweet and said evacuation orders were being lifted this afternoon.

But now, it is correct. As of 3 p.m., both US 50 from the Nevada State Line to Sawmill Road is open, then the highway is closed from Sawmill to Fresh Pond. SR 89 is open from South Lake Tahoe to Tahoma, but closed south from Meyers to Pickets Junction.

Evacuation Order Update as of 3:00 p.m.
The following Evacuation Orders have been downgraded to Evacuation Warnings in El Dorado County:

— South Lake Tahoe City Limits - From the Nevada State line west along Highway 50 to the Tahoe airport. Highway 89 from the city northwest to the city's edge at West Way.

Also Pioneer Trail from state line west to Al Tahoe Blvd.

— North of the City of South Lake Tahoe - All properties on the East (lake side) of Highway 89 extending north from the city limits to Emerald Bay. All properties on both sides of Highway 89 extending North from Emerald Bay through Tahoma.

The area of Fallen Leaf Lake, Christmas Valley, Meyers, and North Upper Truckee remains under an evacuation order.

Road Closures/Access
• Highway 88 is closed from Pickets Junction to Peddler Hill in Amador County • Highway 89 is closed from Highway 88 (Pickets Junction) to Highway 50 in Meyers

• US 50 is closed from Fresh Pond to Sawmill Road

• Road Closures in the basin are at the City Limits on Pioneer Trl, Lake Tahoe Blvd, and Hwy 50 at Sawmill

• 207/Kingsbury Grade and US 50 will be open.

• As with evacuating, please be patient and remain calm as you drive back to town with one access point available.

• Gas up before getting on the road.

If repopulating to your home, take groceries and supplies with you as the only store opened at this time is Round Hill Safeway and staffing levels are limited and reported long lines. Stop by a store off the hills prior to heading up so not caught off guard. It will be a big chore for stores to reopen as they'll have to research expiration dates, check stock, and get employees back. They have not been receiving any supplies for a week.

Transportation
If you need transportation services to get back home, Lake Tahoe Unified School District and Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) are providing bus service from the Reno Shelter located at 4590 South Virginia Street. Passengers will disembark at the Stateline Transit Center and connect with TTD buses operating on regular Routes 50 and 55.

Utilities
Please check with your local utilities company should you have questions regarding your services.

Wildlife
There are a lot more bears in town; bears not used to humans, so they’re not scared of cars and more likely to walk in front of you.

Message from US Coast Guard Sector San Francisco & US Department of Homeland
Security Mariners are urged to avoid all operations on the waters of Lake Tahoe until the impact of area wildfires have subsided.

The following is a release from the city of South Lake Tahoe:

The Evacuation Order for the City of South Lake Tahoe has been downgraded to an Evacuation Warning effective immediately. The Evacuation Order has also been downgraded to Evacuation Warning for Tahoma, while all other El Dorado County areas remain under an Evacuation Order.

Note: All other areas within El Dorado County remain under Evacuation Order, including Christmas Valley, Meyers, and North Upper Truckee.

Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property remains. Evacuation warning can be upgraded to an evacuation order if conditions change. Should another evacuation order be issued, those who require additional time to evacuate, or those with pets and livestock may not want to return until the warning has been lifted.

Considerations for residents who choose to come home and repopulate the city:

▪ Be alert for hazards.
▪ Consider having a professional check propane tanks, regulators, and lines before turning gas on.
▪ Check your residence carefully for hidden embers or smoldering fires.
▪ Be aware of emergency vehicle traffic.
▪ Entry into closed areas is a crime and you could result in you being arrested.
▪ Be Prepared to Evacuate in the event that we return to an Evacuation Order.

Visit www.cityofslt.us/Repopulation for more information.