Caldor Fire remains the same size as winds cause issues within the current footprint

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The wind has been causing issues over the Caldor Fire all day, with the introduction of new fuels as leaves and pine needles were blown off trees. The Red Flag Warning is in place over the fire area until 5:00 a.m. Tuesday. Until then, winds tonight could gust 40-50 mph tonight with 60 mph gusts over the highest peaks. During the day Monday, gusts were up to 40 mph on the peaks.

A cold front is heading to the area, and as it gets closer the wind will be at its highest before there is a chance of 1/10" of rain and cooler temperatures. Temps over the fire area could be in the 40s and 50s during the day Tuesday, returning to normal dry and calm starting Wednesday.

Wind grounded the helicopters Monday but not before they were able to get in some bucket drops of water on the Smith Fire above Echo Lakes. The small ones cannot fly once the wind gusts hit 30mph, the larger size copters cannot fly once 40mph, both of which were hit today. Fixed wing planes can still fly.

Preparation and planning, combined with aggressive mop-up operations, helped to ensure that the fire stayed contained in spite of today’s wind event. Firefighters performed tactical patrol and were staged to respond to spot fires throughout the day. Fire operations also allocated additional resources in Divisions Quebec (Q), where uncontained sections of fire posed a threat during the weather event. The fire team continued to see flareups – interior burning of available vegetation – near containment lines in the Echo Lake area. Fire personnel actively patrolled this area and mopped up throughout the day. Fire personnel will remain active in this area in the coming days.

The incident is currently undergoing a transition: California Interagency Incident Management Team 12 will be handing off to California Interagency Incident Management Team 13 on Wednesday, September 29 at 7:00 a.m.

Incident commander Michael Nobles will be transferring command to Incident commander Michael Wakowski.

The Numbers:

Size: 221,774 Acres acres
Containment: 76%
Structures Threatened: 1,353
Structures Damaged: 81
Single Residences Destroyed: 782
Commercial Properties Destroyed: 18
Other Minor Structures Destroyed: 203
Personnel on the fire: 1,480
Helicopters: 10