Caldor Fire growth slows to a crawl as weather allows firefighters to make progress

Most of the burning on the far northeast tip of the Caldor Fire was within the fire perimeter as of Saturday morning as firefighters finished a line around 37 percent of the blaze.

Satellite mapping shows two hot spots on the 8,000-acre region of the fire burning east of Highway 89 between Hope Valley and Meyers.

Alertwildfire.org cameras showed active flames over night near Heavenly Ski Resort. The Hawkins Peak camera shows the fire burning brightly on the horizon.

At last report, the fire attained 214,107 acres, an increase of only 837 acres since 7 a.m. Friday. Improved weather conditions have enabled firefighters to slow the fire’s spread down to a crawl.

Hot shot crews completed containment lines on the fire burning near Trimmer Peak, which is where the fire comes to around three miles from the Nevada State line, according to the latest report.

Should the fire reach the state line, that could trigger mandatory evacuations along Foothill Road between Centerville and Muller Lanes and an evacuation warning for residents living further north.

In Alpine County, the fire continues to curve around Caples Lake and Kirkwood Ski Resort north of Highway 88. Mapping is showing a section of the fire southwest of Silver Lake about a mile outside of the previous perimeter on either side of Highway 88 in Amador County.

Logistics have caught up with firefighters, according to the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, who are asking residents to instead donate to groups aiding evacuees, including The American Red Cross.

The City of South Lake Tahoe is seeking a federal major disaster declaration. The White House has already approved a presidential emergency declaration for direct federal assistance. The additional declaration will allow evacuated residents and public agencies to apply for federal assistance should it be approved, according to the city.

South Lake Tahoe’s 22,500 residents were evacuated ahead of the fire, as were residents of Douglas County living along the state line at Lake Tahoe.

High pressure will continue to build over Western Nevada, according to the National Weather Service in Reno, which will continue to bring lighter winds.

While aiding firefighters, smoke from the fire will settle in the valleys bringing unhealthy air quality. Windier conditions are likely to return by Wednesday as the high pressure moves east, forecasters said.

Smoke conditions on Saturday morning were at unhealthy levels across Carson Valley and are expected to deteriorate as the day progresses.