Crews aim to strengthen Caldor fire lines in advance of winds, chance of thunderstorms
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Thu, 09/09/2021 - 8:55am
The Caldor Fire has moved to 53 percent contained. The 15th largest fire in California history is now 217,946 acres, according to a Thursday morning Cal Fire briefing. To the north, the Dixie Fire at 922,507 acres is the 2nd largest in the state's history (top single fire as the 2020 August Complex was a group of fires). That fire is 59 percent contained.
East Zone
Throughout the East Zone night shift ensured fire remained within the existing fire footprint, improving fire lines, and mopping up. In the Echo Lakes area, crews monitored fire activity and protected structures as the low intensity fire slowly backed downhill, according to the Cal Fire briefing.
The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Thursday night through Friday night. The watch calls for increased southwest winds, warmer temperatures, lower humidity, and possible thunderstorms.
Today crews will continue to aggressively mop up areas adjacent to completed fire lines, working toward 300 feet of depth to ensure these critical lines hold if challenged. This work is time consuming due to the steep rocky terrain with unburned pockets of vegetation and extremely dry conditions.
Fire use modules in the Wilderness will continue to build direct hand line today, working to tie in with crews constructing line west of Lower Echo Lake. Crews continue to mop up and enhance fire line in the Trimmer Peak area. Dozers and hotshots will build direct line southwest of Scout Peak.
Firefighters will be mopping up in the Caples Lake area and building hand line west toward Kirkwood. Air resources (including 29 helicopters, super scoopers, and retardant planes) are available to support suppression activities across the fire if smoke conditions are favorable, putting out hot spots which allows firefighters to work directly on the fire’s edge.
The primary objectives remain public and firefighter safety and re-population. Firefighters continue to aggressively fight the fire utilizing all available resources, adding containment line as quickly as possible. Felling crews are removing hazard trees along Highways 50, 89 and 88. The goal is to create a safe environment for the public to return to.
West Zone
The fire continued to be active throughout the night. Minimal growth occurred in the northeast and southern areas of the fire perimeter. Firefighters worked diligently last night picking up minor spot fires and mitigating threats to structures. Today crews will continue working along the southern edge to secure more control line and keep the fire north of Highway 88. Damage inspections continue with approximately 99% of structures assessed.
The Numbers
Size: 217,946 acres
Containment: 53%
Civilian Injuries: 2
First Responder Injuries: 9
Structures Threatened: 24,647
Structures Damaged: 80
Single Residences Destroyed: 778
Commercial Properties Destroyed: 18
Other Minor Structures Destroyed: 202
Personnel on the fire: 4,532
Engines: 320
Water tenders: 82
Helicopters: 43
Handcrews: 59
Dozers: 52
Other: 34
Air Tankers: Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow
