South Lake Tahoe city residents can return home after mandatory orders lifted, county must wait

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Less than a week after being forced from their homes due to the encroaching Caldor Fire, some residents of South Lake Tahoe are able to return home as of 3:00 p.m. Sunday. Mandatory evacuation orders are being lifted, but the area will still be in a yellow zone and be aware at all times of the news about the Caldor Fire (to see current evacuation map, visit HERE).

This follows the release of mandatory evacuation orders on the Douglas County side of Lake Tahoe yesterday.

Caltrans tweeted earlier today about the reopening of US50 in South Lake Tahoe city limits, and SR89 from South Lake Tahoe to Tahoma. They then removed the tweet and said evacuation orders were being lifted this afternoon.

But now, it is correct. As of 3:00 p.m., both US 50 from the Nevada State Line to Sawmill Road is open, then the highway is closed from Sawmill to Fresh Pond. SR 89 is open from South Lake Tahoe to Tahoma, but closed south from Meyers to Pickets Junction.

Evacuation Order Update as of 3:00 p.m.

The following Evacuation Orders have been downgraded to Evacuation Warnings in El Dorado County:
• South Lake Tahoe City Limits - From the Nevada State line west along Highway 50 to the Tahoe airport. Highway 89 from the city northwest to the city's edge at West Way.

Also Pioneer Trail from state line west to Al Tahoe Blvd.
• North of the City of South Lake Tahoe - All properties on the East (lake side) of Highway 89 extending north from the city limits to Emerald Bay. All properties on both sides of Highway 89 extending North from Emerald Bay through Tahoma.

The area of Fallen Leaf Lake, Christmas Valley, Meyers, Montgomery Estates, North Upper Truckee and all other areas of El Dorado County at the South Shore remains under an evacuation order.

Road Closures/Access
• Highway 88 is closed from Pickets Junction to Peddler Hill in Amador County • Highway 89 is closed from Highway 88 (Pickets Junction) to Highway 50 in Meyers
• US 50 is closed from Fresh Pond to Sawmill Road
• Road Closures in the basin are at the City Limits on Pioneer Trl, Lake Tahoe Blvd, and Hwy 50 at Sawmill
• 207/Kingsbury Grade and US 50 will be open.
• As with evacuating, please be patient and remain calm as you drive back to town with one access point available.
• Gas up before getting on the road.

If repopulating to your home, take groceries and supplies with you as the only store opened at this time is Round Hill Safeway and staffing levels are limited and reported long lines. Stop by a store off the hills prior to heading up so not caught off guard. It will be a big chore for stores to reopen as they'll have to research expiration dates, check stock, and get employees back. They have not been receiving any supplies for a week.

Transportation
If you need transportation services to get back home, Lake Tahoe Unified School District and Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) are providing bus service from the Reno Shelter located at 4590 South Virginia Street. Passengers will disembark at the Stateline Transit Center and connect with TTD buses operating on regular Routes 50 and 55.

Utilities
Please check with your local utilities company should you have questions regarding your services.

Wildlife
There are a lot more bears in town; bears not used to humans, so they’re not scared of cars and more likely to walk in front of you.

Message from US Coast Guard Sector San Francisco & US Department of Homeland
Security Mariners are urged to avoid all operations on the waters of Lake Tahoe until the impact of area wildfires have subsided.