Caldor Fire size remains the same - weather conditions were good today for reduced fire activity

The Caldor Fire is currently 221,774 acres and remains at 76 percent contained. The cause of the fire, which started at approximately 6:45 p.m. on August 14, is still under investigation.

The Red Flag Warning expired this morning at 5:00 a.m. The weather front brought high winds and light precipitation, measuring about one tenth of an inch, over the fire area. It also brought cooler temperatures and higher humidity.

Early morning precipitation, cooler temperatures, and higher humidity moderated fire behavior throughout the day. This decrease in fire activity was an important window for crews to make progress in several key areas,

In Division Quebec (Q), firefighters secured control lines between Strawberry and lake Margaret. Crews took advantage of the favorable weather conditions to go deep into burned areas and address heat signatures and mop up, including within the burn scar of the Caples Creek fire.

In the Desolation Wilderness between Divisions India (I) and Mike (M), crews were able to access burned areas and extinguish heat near the fire’s edge. In Division Romeo, crews worked in areas normally difficult to access,
mopping up and securing control line.

Fire personnel responded to reports of heat on Trimmer Peak. They located and addressed the area of concern.

Aerial resources were back in the sky today. They monitored the Smith Fire but did not locate smoke nor heat signatures. Fire operations will continue to monitor this area closely in the coming days.

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

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

Fire crews will continue priority suppression repair work while minimizing any near-term environmental resource impacts as a result of fire suppression efforts, including Angora Mountain, Tahoe Mountain and High Meadows. They will repair contingency line along Peavine Ridge & Granite Springs Road and continue hazard tree removal along Mormon Emigrant Trail and Sierra at Tahoe.

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: 1,527
Helicopters: 10