Caldor Fire, 'knocking on the door' of Lake Tahoe area, becomes nation's 'No. 1 priority for firefig
Source: USA Today
Christal Hayes
STOCKTON, Calif. — A rapidly expanding wildfire is approaching the outskirts of the Lake Tahoe basin and has become the nation's No. 1 priority for firefighting resources, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.
The Caldor Fire, which is only 10 days old, has exploded to nearly 123,000 acres and taken out 632 structures including more than 450 homes. It helped spur evacuations and, along with several blazes across the state, led to the closure of nine national forests. Nearly 18,000 properties were still in danger from the blaze, which was 11% contained as of Tuesday evening.
"It is knocking on the door to the Lake Tahoe basin," said Chief Thom Porter, director of CAL FIRE. "We have all efforts in place to keep it out of the basin but we do need to also be aware that is a possibility based on the way the fires have been burning."
Porter said the blaze was now the "No. 1 priority in the nation" for firefighting resources due to its proximity to so many residents, property and infrastructureas it inched toward the South Lake Tahoe area, a popular vacation spot straddling the California-Nevada border known for its massive emerald-blue waters. More than 2,100 personnel, 22 helicopters, 50 fire crews and 200 fire engines are working to douse the fire.
Climate change video with the story: https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/weather/2021/08/21/drought-and-record-high-temperatures-contribute-wildfires-out-west/8217810002/
Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/08/24/caldor-fire-lake-tahoe-california-nevada-resources/5579388001/
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