Rain helps stop Emerald Fire near South Lake Tahoe, evacuations lifted
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Fri, 10/14/2016 - 8:10am
UPDATE 6PM: CalFire reports firefighters have made significant progress on the Emerald Fire. Rain has held the fire progression. No reported injuries or structure damage. The fire is 80 percent contained. Evacuations have been lifted.
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UPDATE 10:15AM: Emerald fire burning near South Lake Tahoe is approximately 250 acres in size burning in timber on National Forest System and California State lands at Emerald Bay and Cascade Lake. It's being fueled by strong winds that are ahead of the incoming storm system that have been fanning the fire in different directions resulting in dangerous rates of spread. Rain has been falling in the area, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
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UPDATE 9:40AM: The Emerald fire has burned 200 acres so far and containment time is unknown. Wind gusts in the fire area are up to 70 mph. Rain is heavy at times which is helping to put the fire out. No flames are visible from Baldwin Beach. Highway 89 is closed from Camp Richardson to the Vikingsholm parking lot. Evacuations are still in place.
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A mandatory evacuation order has been issued Friday morning for about 500 homes near South Lake Tahoe because of a 200-acre wildfire burning near Cascade Lake, a fire that started at about 1:30 a.m.
The fire, dubbed the Emerald Fire has caused mandatory evacuations at Spring Creek, Cathedral, the west shore of Fallen Leaf Lake, Cascade Properties and Cascade Lake.
About 500 homes north of Emerald Bay are under a voluntary evacuation order.
Highway 89 is closed from Camp Richardson to Meeks Bay.
An evacuation center has been set up at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center at 1180 Rufus Allen Boulevard.
Winds in the area are remaining strong, with gusts reaching about 50 mph. However, winds are expected to pick up throughout the day.
Some light rain is falling in the fire area and heavier rains are forecast to start at 10 a.m. and last through 7 p.m.
List of mandatory evacuated roads:List of mandatory evacuated roads:
Hwy 89 North closed from Fallen Leaf Road to Bayview Trailhead
Cathedral Road
Baldwin Beach Road
Mt Tallac Road
Spring Creek Road
Alliklik Road
Cahuilla Road
Hupa Road
Karok Road
Mattole Road
Maidu Road
Nicoleno Road
Nicolena Court
Pomo Road
Pomo Court
Wiyot Road
Yurok Road
Cascade Road
Sugar Pine Road
Cascade Lake Road
Upper Eagle Point Campground
Lower Eagle Point Campground
All voluntary evacuations lifted on Highway 89 North from Bayview Trailhead to Tahoma.
Second evacuation center now open at the Rideout Community Center located at 740 TImberland Lane in Tahoe City.
This story will be updated via South Tahoe Now. Go here to follow this developing story.
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