UPDATE: Caldor fire containment grows

UPDATE SUNDAY: As of Sunday morning the fire was 218,950 acres and 65 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.
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Approximately 10,000 people remain evacuated from their homes in the Caldor Fire zone. Some were allowed back in the West Zone on Friday, but Christmas Valley and North Upper Truckee residents in the East Zone remain evacuated along with many other western areas.

There is no timeline for any of those still evacuated, but fire officials said they hope to give residents good news in a few days.

As of Friday night, the Caldor Fire remains at 218,459 acres and 53 percent contained.

Homes in over 99 percent of the burned areas have been accessed for damage, according to the Calfire press information officer. According to the El Dorado County Sheriff's property map, one cabin was destroyed and another damaged in the Rainbow Tract of Christmas Valley.

The rain overnight helped with moisture on the fire, but fuels will quickly dry out, according to those speaking at tonight's community meeting. The rain was not a fire season ending event but gave them opportunity to work on mopping up the fire and buttoning up containment lines.

There were eight lightning starts in El Dorado County overnight, four on each side of the fire with one of those in Glenbrook, Nev., and the others on the West Shore. All are being addressed and contained.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. CalFire Law Enforcement officers announced two separate fire-related arrests were made in Amador County on Thursday. An adult male, Zachary Hensley, was arrested for allegedly starting a fire recklessly in the area of SR88 and Dalton Road and a woman, Debra Smith, on suspicion of starting a series of fires in the community of Plymouth. Both were booked into the Amador County Jail and are not connected to the Caldor Fire, law enforcement said.

East Zone

The Red Flag Warning kept fire crews on high alert throughout the day and prepared for initial attack in case the lightning ignited any new fires. Helicopters working on the Caldor Fire did support local fire agencies Friday, responding to five new fire starts which were all quickly contained. Although some rain did fall during the morning, the precipitation was
barely measurable and did not put the fire out. The strong winds that accompanied the storms, gusts from 40 to 60 mph, quickly dried out fuels again and tested containment lines.

Additional resources joined yesterday’s forces north of Strawberry Creek to complete containment line and suppress several small spot fires in this area where the fire continues to be active due to heavy fuels (standing and downed dead trees killed prior to the fire).

Hotshots also worked north of Luther Spire where fire behavior was testing the containment line. Fire Use Modules continued to complete hand line in the Wilderness and crews held line and mopped up adding depth around Lower and Upper Echo Lakes.

Helicopters were able to fly much of Friday, helping extinguish hot spots and support ground efforts.

West Zone

Despite recent precipitation, fire activity remained active throughout fire area. In addition to addressing the utility hazards across the incident, crews continue to mitigate approximately 5,000 hazard trees between Kyburz and Echo Summit in an effort to create an area safe for repopulation. Tonight, firefighters will actively patrol seeking out heat and continuing mop up. A Red Flag Warning is in effect through 11:00 p.m. for gusty winds.

"We're doing everything we can to get the highway back open," said fire officials during the daily 5:00 p.m. community meeting on Friday.

The Numbers

Size: 218,459 acres
Containment: 53 percent
Civilian Injuries: 2
First Responder Injuries: 12 (one badly burned and is hospitalized)
Structures Threatened: 24,647
Structures Damaged: 81
Single Residences Destroyed: 782
Commercial Properties Destroyed: 18
Other Minor Structures Destroyed: 203
Personnel on the fire: 3,989
Engines: 251
Water tenders: 78
Helicopters: 45
Handcrews: 51
Dozers: 38
Other: 34
Air Tankers: Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow