Caldor Fire Monday evening update: 48% contained, 216,358 acres

The Caldor Fire did not grow during the day Monday and firefighters were able to get the containment line to 48 percent. To date, 216,358 acres have burned.

East Zone

Fire Fighters continued their hard work throughout the entire East Zone as they performed aggressive direct fire attack and mop up. An additional Wildfire Module was inserted today in the Desolation Wilderness, bringing the total to two. These specialized crews can operate in the wilderness for up to 14 days unsupported.

Super scoopers, aerial firefighting planes capable of scooping water from lakes without landing, were also utilized today to assist the crews' efforts on the ground in the wilderness. They took water from Lake Tahoe today to drop on the Echo Lakes area. Additionally, rappelers were inserted into
the Desolation Wilderness near the Echo Lake area to secure and mop up remote areas. In the Upper and Lower Echo Lake areas, fire activity remains to include, low-intensity flames backing towards the hand line as planned.

In Meyers and Christmas Valley, the containment line was improved as aggressive mop up, and tactical patrol continued. In addition, a concerted effort is taking place with structure preparation and removing hazard trees to make the communities safe or residents to return.

Between the area of Trimmer Peak and Luther Pass, direct handline construction continued.

Crews in Scout Peak are mopping up and using hose lines and constructing direct handline. Around Caples Lake, crews continued to gain more depth with their mop up and additional hand line construction.

Crews continue to make progress all over the fire and will stay engaged working through the night. Even though there is a growing containment line, fire can still be occurring within its boundaries, even with the forward progress on the east end stopped.

US50 from Fresh Pond to Lake Tahoe is being prepped which means the cutting of downed trees that werre burned, putting up new power poles. The incident commander tonight said this is a "long, hard operation."

West Zone

The fire remained active in the northeast and southern edges of the fire due to the poor overnight & daytime humidity recovery coupled with the increased temperatures. Aircraft and hand crews worked the remote and rugged terrain on both the northeast and southern edges today working hard to tie in with existing control lines. Hazard tree removal along US50 continues to support safe repopulation in the coming days. Hot material, interior islands, and pockets of timber continue to burn and smolder, crews will actively patrol the area to mitigate threats to structures. Damage inspections continue
with 85% of structures assessed.

The Numbers

Size: 216,358 acres
Containment: 48%
Civilian Injuries: 2
First Responder Injuries: 7
Structures Threatened: 24,647
Structures Damaged: 76
Single Residences Destroyed: 752
Commercial Properties Destroyed: 18
Other Minor Structures Destroyed: 195
Personnel on the fire: 4,723
Engines: 346
Water tenders: 80
Helicopters: 31
Handcrews: 68
Dozers: 68
Other: 34
Air Tankers: Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow