Lake Tahoe Evacuated as Caldor Fire Continues to Grow

The governors of California and Nevada declared states of emergency yesterday as the Caldor Fire continues to blaze at a rapid speed near the city of South Lake Tahoe. In California governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in Alpine, Amador and Placer counties which surround Lake Tahoe. Nevada governor Steve Sisolak declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the fire crossing state lines in the upcoming days. The declaration ‘ensures resources from the local, state and federal levels are available to assist as needed during the emergency.’

The entire city of South Lake Tahoe and the southern portion of the lake were put under mandatory evacuation yesterday. South Lake Tahoe city spokesperson Lindsey Baker said “it is being done out of an abundance of caution, but the full city limits are under an evacuation order”. The order covers over 53,000 residents in El Dorado County and according to the sheriff’s office, inmates at the South Lake Tahoe Jail were also evacuated. The Caldor fire has consumed 186,568 acres since it began on August 14th and is only 15% contained.