California’s Caldor Fire Engulfs 200,000 Acres And Forces Mandatory Evacuations In Nevada (Photos)
Topline
The Caldor fire has spread to more than 200,000 acres, California authorities said Wednesday morning, saying that first responders “have a long grind ahead of them” as low humidity and increased winds have pushed the wildfire to grow and even threaten neighboring Nevada.
Cal firefighter Travis Moore lights a backfire along highway 50 as the Caldor Fire burns near Lake … [+]
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Key Facts
However, strong winds and low humidity will likely continue into Wednesday, officials said, sparking worries the fire will continue to grow and damage 35,000 endangered structures.
But officials on the other side of the lake in Douglas County, Nevada, were forced to issue evacuation orders and warnings as winds pushed the fire eastward and threatened people and structures across state lines.
The fire was 20% contained on Monday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Five people have been injured, three of whom are first responders, and more than 500 residences have been destroyed since the Caldor fire began burning two weeks ago, the agency said.
In this long exposure photograph, a burning tree emits embers as flames from the Caldor fire … [+]
AFP via Getty Images
The Caldor Fire burns along a hillside on Wednesday near Meyers, California.
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Fire crews worked all night to stop the Caldor Fire’s spread after it spotted across US Highway 89 … [+]
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
What To Watch For
How soon the fire can be contained. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Wednesday it expects the fire to be fully contained by Sept. 13, five days later than what the agency reported the previous day as the fire continues to spread. Safety officer Jamal Cook said Wednesday that firefighters “have a long grind ahead” and urged first responders to pace themselves physically and mentally. “Fatigue can and will set in,” Cook said.
The Caldor fire moves east as firefighters continue to battle the blaze.
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A firefighter sprays a hose as teams work to contain the fire.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Firefighters worked all day Monday to control spot fires and keep the Caldor Fire from advancing … [+]
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Key Background
The Caldor fire, burning east of Sacramento, is just one of seven wildfires burning across the state on Monday, according to a tracker from California Fire. The only burning fire larger than the Caldor fire is northern California’s Dixie fire, which at 844,081 acres is the second-largest wildfire in California history and is 52% contained. Experts say California and other western states will likely be forced to battle an increased number of wildfires as rising temperatures caused by global warming create the ideal conditions for fires to spark and spread. The state is facing one of its worst droughts in decades.
Embers fly from a tree as the Caldor Fire burns along Highway 50 in Eldorado National Forest, … [+]
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two firefighters created a fuel break as the Caldor Fire burns just beyond this week.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Further Reading
California’s Caldor Wildfire Nears Lake Tahoe, Forcing Mandatory Evacuations (Forbes)
California Wildfires In Photos: Widespread Blazes Force 40,000 To Evacuate (Forbes)
Wildfire Sweeps Through California Forest Near Big Sur Amid Dire Drought (Forbes)
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