Sunday update: Growth slows as containment lines hold on Caldor Fire
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 09/05/2021 - 2:04pm
UPDATE 3:51PM: The City of South Lake Tahoe announced Sunday afternoon that residents in the city limits can return home as mandatory evacuations were lifted in the city limits. Go here for the latest update.
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With nearly 5,000 personnel in a unified effort to stop it, the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County, which edged near South Lake Tahoe a few days ago, was mapped at 215,400 acres and was 43 percent contained as of Sunday afternoon.
Firefighters resumed their aggressive direct firefighting tactics and mop up operations Sunday in all areas of the fire. On Saturday night, fire behavior was minimal to moderate, and crews held the fire within containment lines, according to Cal Fire.
Wildland firefighters will be hiking into the Desolation Wilderness to engage directly with the fire using minimal impact suppression techniques, according to Cal Fire. On the south and southwestern sides of Echo Lake, the fire continues to back down the hillside. Overall, the northern flank of the fire is holding well as firefighters continue their diligent mop up work.
To the north, masticators and dozers are working to complete contingency lines along roadways surrounding Fallen Leaf Lake. These contingency lines are backup plans, however, the direct firefighting taking place now is making great progress and holding well.
On the northeastern corner of the fire, direct containment lines are almost tied in below Trimmer Peak, with great progress on mop up. Moving down to Luther Spire, hot spots still exist. Firefighters will continue their direct attack and get assistance from aircraft whenever visibility improves.
There is still much work to be done tying in dozer lines and holding along the south and southeast flank of the fire above Caples Lake.
However so far, firefighters are making good progress going direct. Safety concerns for firefighters remain with the potential for rollout of smoldering material and hazardous burning tree snags. Structure protection groups continue mop up around structures, so it is safe to repopulate some of the communities around South Lake Tahoe in the coming days.
West Zone
Firefighters continued to make progress last night mopping up and patrolling the fire perimeter. Minor spotting was observed and safely contained. Today crews will work along the more active areas along the northeast and southeast areas of the West Zone tying in with existing control line and mopping up. Damage inspections continue with approximately 80 percent of structures assessed.
The Numbers
Size: 215,400 acres
Containment: 43%
Civilian Injuries: 2
First Responder Injuries: 7
Structures Threatened: 27,670
Structures Damaged: 73
Single Residences Destroyed: 712
Commercial Properties Destroyed: 18
Other Minor Structures Destroyed: 190
Personnel on the fire: 4,954
Engines: 350
Water tenders: 86
Helicopters: 31
Handcrews: 92
Dozers: 90
Other: 34
Air Tankers: Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.
