EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) — A huge firefighting force continues to defend Lake Tahoe from a raging wildfire that forced the evacuation of California communities on the south end of the alpine resort and put others across the state line in Nevada on notice to be ready to flee.
Here’s the latest information on the Caldor Fire (updated Sept. 14):
- 219,267 Acres
- 71% containment
- 1,003 total structures destroyed (Single residences, commercial and minor structures)
- 81 structures damaged
- 18 civilian and firefighter injuries
Nearly 5,000 firefighting personnel are helping battle the fire that’s been active for the last 20 days.
President Biden approved the Presidential Emergency Declaration for counties affected by the Caldor Fire.
The approval came hours after Governor Newsom submitted the request.
Newsom posted to Twitter saying, “Grateful for the quick approval of support from @POTUS and @VP for the #CaldorFire so California can continue to bolster our response and provide additional support for those impacted by this devastating fire.”
This declaration will help supplement the state, local and tribal government emergency services.
Interactive Maps
Infrared heat map:
Structures and their statuses:
Evacuations:
EL DORADO COUNTY
Evacuation Orders:
- CALDOR – East of North South Road, West of Service Road 09N78A, North of the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes River, South of Caldor
- CAPLES CREEK – This section is south of Highway 50 east of Kyburz up to 41 Milestone Tract and south all the way to Highway 88 between 1 mile east of Mormon Immigrant Trail up to Caples Lake following the county line.
- CRYSTAL BASIN B – North of Highway 50, east of Ice House Road to Wrights Lake Road up to the Placer County Line to include Ice House Reservoir, Wrights Lake, and Loon Lake.
- DESOLATION – This section extends south of the Placer County line in the area of the Rubicon Trail between Spider Lake and Sourdough Hill and extends south into Desolation Wilderness all the way to Highway 50 to include the areas of Rockbound Lake, Rubicon Reservoir, Highland Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Schmidell Lake and Twin Lakes south to Highway 50 between Wrights Lake Road and Twin Bridges. The eastern edge of this area is in line with Clyde Lake and Pyramid Lake.
- DESOLATION EAST – The area north of Echo Lake, following the Desolation Wilderness north staying west of Fallen Leaf Lake, Cascade Lake, and Emerald Bay up to the Placer County Line
- DESOLATION NORTH – This is the area of Desolation Wilderness south of the Placer County Line extending to Emerald Bay, but staying within Desolation Wilderness.
- GRIZZLY FLAT PROPER – The communities of Grizzly Flats and Blue Mountain remain Closed. South of the intersection of Cosumnes Mine Road and Sciaroni Road, North and East of the intersection of Grizzly Flat Road and Steely Road, West of the intersection of Capps Crossing Road and Cypress Point Drive.
- HEAVENLY – East of Pioneer Trail between Larch and Al Tahoe, to include the area of Heavenly Ski Resort out to the Alpine County Line and the Nevada State line on the east.
- HELL HOLE – Northeast of Highway 89, west of the Alpine County line, and south of Tahoe Paradise Golf Course.
- MET TO HWY 88 – South of Mormon Emigrant Trail to Highway 88. West on Highway 88 to Hams Station.
- NORTH ECHO – North of Highway 50 between Twin Bridges and Echo Summit, extending to the north just past Upper Echo Lake
- SOUTH ECHO – South of Highway 50 starting at Camp Sacramento to the top of Echo Summit then proceeding due south to the Alpine County Line.
- TRIMMER – The area east of Pioneer Trail to the Alpine County Line stopping south of Heavenly Ski Resort, excluding all residences off of Pioneer Trail.
- US 50 SOUTH TO KYBURZ – South of Highway 50 from Ice House Road to Silver Fork Road, to include the community of Kyburz. East of Mormon Emigrant Trail to Highway 88.
Evacuation Warnings:
- CRYSTAL BASIN A – West of Ice House Road from the Placer County Line, south to Highway 50 and east of Junction Reservoir.
- CHRISTMAS VALLEY – All residences accessed from Highway 89 south of Highway 50 in Meyers through Christmas Valley and including all of South Upper Truckee.
- FALLEN LEAF B – The area of Fallen Leaf Lake, Angora Lake, and the residences on Tahoe Mountain, extending west to the border of Desolation Wilderness, south of Highway 89.
- GREATER GRIZZLY EAST – South of Mormon Emigrant Trail, West of North South Road, North of Omo Ranch Road, East of the intersection of Omo Ranch and Slug Gulch Road, South of the Community of Blue Mountain, East of the intersection of Capps Crossing Road and Cypress Point Road.
- HAPPY VALLEY – All properties accessed from Happy Valley Road.
- MEYERS – All residences in Meyers north of Highway 89 and east of Highway 50 to include all streets accessed from Apache, Mandan, following Pioneer Trail northeast just past Elks Club.
- PI PI – East of North South Road from Omo Ranch to Cat Creek and east to Highway 88 1 mile east of Omo Ranch Road.
- PIONEER – All homes accessed from both sides of Pioneer Trail from the city limits starting at Al Tahoe Blvd and moving west stopping before Elks Club.
- SOUTHEAST POLLOCK – South of Highway 50 east of Sly Park Road, west of Ice House Road, North of MET.
- WASHOE MEADOWS / NORTH UPPER TRUCKEE – All streets accessed from North Upper Truckee Road which is north of Highway 50 stopping at Sawmill and Lake Tahoe Blvd on the north side. This includes all residences on Sawmill and the residences to the west of Highway 50 in Meyers to include Country Club, Bakersfield, East S and Hopi.
- THE FOLLOWING STREETS IN EL DORADO COUNTY – Grizzly Flat Road between Steely Ridge Road and Blue Mountain Road. Cosumnes Mine Road between String Canyon Road and the North Fork of the Cosumnes River. String Canyon Road between Grizzly Flat Road and Eagle Hill Road.
AMADOR COUNTY
Evacuation Order:
- ZONE 4A – South of Highway 88 along the Amador/El Dorado County line from Dufrene Road, north of the line due East from Dufrene Road to the Amador – Alpine County line, West of the line due South from Highway 88 to the East end of Salt Springs Reservoir.
- ZONE 5A – South of Highway 88 along the Amador-El Dorado County line, north of the line due East from Dufrene Road to the Amador-Alpine County Line, East of the line due South from highway 88 to the East end of Salt Springs Reservoir, West of the Amador-Alpine County line
Evacuation Warning:
- ZONE 4B – South of Dufrene Road due East to the Amador-Alpine County Line, north of the Amador-Calaveras County line, West of Panther Creek Road, East of the line due south from Highway 88 to the East end of the Salt Springs Reservoir
- ZONE 5B – South of Dufrene Road due East to the Amador-Alpine County line, North of the Amador-Calaveras County line, East of the line due South from Highway 88 to the East end of the Salt Springs Reservoir.
Road Closures:
- Highway 88 is closed between Peddlers Ridge and the Highway 88/89 interchange
ALPINE COUNTY
Evacuation Order:
- ZONE 19 – Highway 88 at Forestdale Road. West of Forestdale Road & south to the Pacific Crest Trail Crossing. West of the Pacific Crest Trail to the Summit City Canyon Trail. West of Summit City Canyon Trail & south to the El Dorado / Stanislaus National Forest Line. El Dorado/Stanislaus National Forest Line west to the Alpine/Amador Co. line.
- ZONE 20 – Highway 89 south, from Luther Pass Road to the Pickets Junction (Highway 88). West on Hwy 88 to Kirkwood. South to include Kirkwood Ski Resort & Caples Lake.
Evacuation Warning:
- ZONE 21A – The area from Pickett’s Junction, north on Highway 89 the Alpine/El Dorado County line. Northeast to along the Alpine/El Dorado County line to Armstrong Ridge. Southeast along Armstrong Ridge to Horse Thief. Southwest along Horse Thief Canyon to Pickett’s Junction.
- ZONE 22A – The area from Armstrong Ridge at the Alpine/El Dorado County line, northeast to the California/Nevada State line. Southeast along the Alpine County line to Fay-Luther Canyon. Southwest along Fay-Luther Canyon to the Horse Thief Canyon to Armstrong Ridge. Northwest on Armstrong Ridge to the Alpine/El Dorado Co. line.
- ZONE 23 – East of Forestdale Road and south to the Pacific Crest Trail Crossing. East of the Pacific Crest Trail to the Summit City Canyon Trail. East of Summit City Canyon Trail and south to the El Dorado / Stanislaus National Forest Line. El Dorado /Stanislaus National Forest Line east to the northern lake edge of Upper Blue Lakes. North of the North-west Lake edge of Upper Blue Lake to the southern aspect of Hawkins Peak and to Woodford’s junction. South of Highway 88 at Woodfords Junction to Forestdale Road.
ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTERS
El Dorado County
- El Dorado County Animal Services (small animals)
6435 Capitol Ave.
Diamond Springs, CA
For animal evacuation questions or assistance call (530) 621-5795 - Saureel Vineyards (large animals) FULL
1140 Cold Springs Road
Placerville, CA
(530) 621-5795
Nevada
- Douglas County Animal Services (small animal)
921 Dump Road
Gardnerville, NV
(775) 782-9061 - East to West Coast Grooming
1368 Hwy 395, Unit B1
Gardnerville, NV
(775) 450-1743 - Douglas County Animal Services (livestock)
Douglas County Fairgrounds
920 Dump Road
Gardnerville, NV
(775) 782-9061
Weather
According to Cal Fire, on Thursday fire behavior decreased in western areas thanks to slow wind speed across the fire. The fire continues to back down towards Hwy 50 in multiple locations due to the heavy dead/down fuels. For the East Zone, weather conditions were moderate, with winds speeds not reaching predicted levels, helping containment efforts. Fire growth occurred primarily along the edges near the head of the fire.