![]() ![]() “This stuff is burning really easily here,” he said. The biggest concern through early next week, Wade said, would be embers flying up to a mile out ahead of the fire’s body and igniting unburned vegetation that has dried out from several years’ worth of drought. The fire grew in virtually all directions overnight Friday as it scorched extremely dry fuels. Caltrans closed Highway 50 between Pollock Pines and Meyers due to the Caldor Fire. There was no estimate for when Highway 50 may reopen. ![]() In total, more than 1,500 firefighters and support crews tackled the blaze Saturday, with most lined from Sly Park Road to Kyburz along the fire’s northern front.Ĭaltrans officials had closed a nearly 50-mile stretch of the highway on Friday out of fears that fire, poor visibility from smoke and falling ash or trees could endanger drivers’ lives.Ĭaltrans spokeswoman Angela DaPrato said Saturday that those heading to and from Tahoe should take Interstate 80, but steer clear of back roads that could be unexpectedly impacted by the fire. “A lot of those questions are being asked currently,” Horner said late Saturday.Īs part of the defensive stand in the area of the highway, firefighters removed dry vegetation, trees and other fuels, while others placed sprinkler lines around houses to slow the flames’ spread. Stephen Horner said could present several new challenges, including steep canyons and very dense forested areas, that could make it harder to try and contain the already fast-moving blaze. On Saturday afternoon, the winds pushed flames and burning embers over the highway in the Kyburz area, according to Cal Fire Incident Commander Dusty Martin.įrom the fire crews’ base camp in Placerville leading northeast to the Caldor Fire’s footprint, gusts of about 25 mph blew away a protective smoke layer and started pushing flames to the northeast - closing in on the highway and small communities dotted along the roadway and surrounding forestland.īy Saturday night, the blaze was 0% contained, had burned just over 90,000 acres, destroyed 270 structures, and was still threatening more than 13,000, according to Cal Fire.Ĭal Fire commanders were working Saturday night to determine how fiercely the fire was burning on the north side of the highway, which includes terrain Cal Fire Capt. PLACERVILLE - Driven by high winds sweeping across Northern California’s bone-dry fire zones Saturday, one of the state’s most explosive wildfires, the Caldor Fire, jumped across Highway 50, crossing a key line that fire officials hoped to use to slow the spread of the fast-moving blaze.įirefighters battling the blaze as it burns through El Dorado County had been drumming up every available tactic to keep the blaze from crossing the highway, the main artery leading to Lake Tahoe for residents and visitors alike. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |