After 21 days, the Caldor Fire is 43% contained, 214,112 acres in size

Douglas County residents have been able to return to their homes at Lake Tahoe, but South Lake Tahoe, Meyers, Christmas Valley and Tahoma residents remain evacuated.

Containment lines are around 43 percent of the fire, meaning a line is around that much of the perimeter, not that the fire is 43 percent extinguished. There are still some areas within the boundary that are burning.

Since the fire started three weeks ago, 214,112 acres have burned. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

East End Report

The East of the fire refers to the area from US50 by Kyburz, to Lake Tahoe, and around SR88 to the south to Kirkwood. Firefighters continue their aggressive mop up operations and direct firefighting tactics in all areas of the fire, holding the fire within containment lines. Wildland firefighting modules will be hiking into the Desolation Wilderness to engage directly with the fire using minimal impact suppression techniques. On the south and southwestern sides of Echo Lake, the fire continues to back down the hillside. Overall, the northern flank of the fire is holding well within the current containment lines. Firefighters continue their work diligently with mop up operations.

On the northeastern flank fire, spotting behavior has decreased and firefighters are working to tie in their direct containment lines down to Luther Spire where hot spots exist.

However, helicopters were able to make drops as the smoky air cleared today.
To the north, contingency groups are working to reduce fuel using masticators along roadways surrounding Fallen Leaf Lake and Angora Ridge. These contingency lines are being constructed as backup plans, however, the direct firefighting taking place now is making great progress and holding well.

Safety concerns for firefighters remain with the potential for rollout of smoldering material and hazardous burning tree snags. Structure protection groups continue to seek out hot spots and mop up around structures.

Firefighters are hopeful for repopulations of some of these communities in the coming days when it is safe, but no definite answers available at this time due to safety concerns.

West End Report

Some areas on the west side of the fire have begun to repopulate though many remain out of their homes. Today, fire behavior decreased thanks to a morning smoke inversion paired with slow speeds. Firefighters continued to mop up and strengthen control lines along US50 as well as cut down weakened hazard trees. Aircraft and hand crews worked the perimeter along SR88 tying it in with existing control lines while monitoring the unburned islands north of the highway. Tonight, crews will actively patrol, extinguishing heat and mitigating threats to structures. Damage inspections continue with approximately 80 percent of structures assessed.

The Numbers

Size: 214,112 acres
Containment: 43%
Civilian Injuries: 2
First Responder Injuries: 7
Structures Threatened: 27,670
Structures Damaged: 73
Single Residences Destroyed: 712
Commercial Properties Destroyed: 18
Other Minor Structures Destroyed: 190
Personnel on the fire: 4,954
Engines: 350
Water tenders: 86
Helicopters: 31
Handcrews: 92
Dozers: 90
Other: 34
Air Tankers: Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.