Caldor Fire Tuesday update: 191,607 acres and 16% contained
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 8:06am
Overnight fire activity on the Caldor Fire remained active throughout the northeastern and eastern areas of the fire due to poor humidity recovery according to CalFire. Crown fire runs and ember casting remained active covering distances of up to three quarters of a mile. Lower elevations of the fire saw strong down canyon winds that tested control lines in Divisions in the west and northwest. The current red flag warning remains in effect through 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 1.
The area of US50 from Echo Summit to South Lake Tahoe experienced experienced significant down canyon winds through the night due to the steep drop in elevation and the drainages found there. Good tree spacing,light surface fuels and large granite cliffs helped slow the fire's spread.
The fire did make it to both sides of SR89 through Christmas Valley though CalFire has not given an estimate of acres or any damage to homes. Early reports say the fire kept in the trees and upper terrain, and not in the urban area and as of 9:00 p.m., Tom Celio said the Celio Ranch on South Upper Truckee had fire on three sides of the 102 acre ranch, but no damage to this historic buildings and land.
Heat maps show much more spread of fire but don't show the true boundaries, fire official say.
The Nevada side of Lake Tahoe remains on an evacuation warning on Kingsbury Grade and in the Stateline area.
The Numbers
Size: 191,607 acres
Containment: 16%
Civilian Injuries: 2
First Responder Injuries: 3
Structures Threatened: 33,679
Single Residences Threatened: 27,845
Multiple residences Threatened: 4,681
Businesses Threatened: 1,153
Structures Damaged: 39
Single Residences Destroyed: 486
Commercial Properties Destroyed: 11
Other Minor Structures Destroyed: 171
Evacuated: 51,023
Estimated incident costs to date: $74,310,138
Personnel on the fire: 3,904
Engines: 415
Water tenders: 74
Helicopters: 25
Handcrews: 85
Dozers: 92
Other: 31