Monday Caldor Fire update: 44 percent contained, thousands of South Lake Tahoe evacuees returning
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 09/06/2021 - 12:16pm
Firefighters on the Caldor Fire near South Lake Tahoe continued to work tirelessly throughout the night Sunday into Monday morning, patrolling and holding the fire at current perimeters. Crews continued the aggressive direct attack, mop up, and building upon previously constructed hand line.
Cal Fire reports the fire is 216,358 acres and was 44 percent contained as of Monday morning. Go here for the full report.
In the areas of upper and lower Echo Lake, the fire activity was minimal. The crews continued mop up and patrol.
In Meyers and Christmas Valley, the fire continued to creep and smolder in the interior sections. Crews mopped up and improved the containment line in addition to patrolling around the structures.
Near Trimmer Peak, night shift crews continued aggressive mop up, holding the established line from Trimmer Rock to Fountain Place.
In the Scout Peak area, crews focused on securing and improving the hand line. Around Caples Lake, crews continued direct handline construction and went into the fire's interior sections to extinguish hot spots.
West Zone
The fire behavior moderated overnight allowing firefighters to pick up spots that occurred during the day. Some fire growth occurred in the steep, challenging terrain along the northeast and south ends of the fire perimeter. Poor humidity recovery and warmer temperatures last night allowed some interior islands to burn but crews actively patrolled to mitigate any threats to structures.
On Monday, firefighters will continue mopping up and building more control line. Damage inspections continue with approximately 85 percent of structures assessed. Full containment is expected September 27.
The Numbers
Size: 216,358 acres
Containment: 44%
Civilian Injuries: 2
First Responder Injuries: 7
Structures Threatened: 27,670
Structures Damaged: 75
Single Residences Destroyed: 714
Commercial Properties Destroyed: 18
Other Minor Structures Destroyed: 190
Personnel on the fire: 5,072
Engines: 357
Water tenders: 88
Helicopters: 31
Handcrews: 78
Dozers: 79
Other: 34
Air Tankers: Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.
Meanwhile, thousands of residents who live in the city limits of South Lake Tahoe have begun to return home after an evacuation order from the City of South Lake Tahoe was downgraded Sunday afternoon to an evacuation warning. All other areas within El Dorado County remain under an evacuation order, including Christmas Valley, Meyers, and North Upper Truckee. Go here for the story.
Emergency managers advised those residents returning from valley evacuation locations to stock up on essential necessities such as groceries, household supplies and fuel before returning home. This is because some South Lake Tahoe businesses may experience delays in shipments and supplies.
“We understand residents may be eager to return home after being evacuated for some time,” said DEM Incident Commander Melissa Friend. “But in order to reduce the potential for any shortages and preserve fuel and supplies in South Lake Tahoe, we are encouraging residents to stock up on food and fill their gas tanks in the location they were evacuated to before driving up to the lake.”
