Emergency closure of courts due to smoke from Caldor Fire

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to widespread smoke from the Caldor Fire, the El Dorado Superior Court is under an emergency order to protect staff and court users.

The order allows the court to extend the last day for time not waived jury trials and for preliminary hearings through September 17. This allows people the Court flexibility in terms of pulling officers away from dealing with the state of emergency to come to court and testify. Also, many people in the County have been evacuated, displaced or have left their homes.

"The last thing I want is for them to be concerned about jury duty," said Superior Court Presiding Judge Suzanne Kingsbury.

The court has been closing by 2:00 p.m. since August 20 due to the smoke in the buildings. Even though they've been running seven commercial size air scrubbers 24/7, smoke is visible inside in South Lake Tahoe and other court locations.

"It was at its worst today, and all court locations completely closed to the public before lunch," said Judge Kingsbury on Friday.

She will evaluate the situation Monday morning to see if operations need to be curtailed. The court hopes to return to regular hours next week, conditions permitting.