Incident Update Caldor Fire

Situation Summary

Evacuation ORders Downgraded (9/16/2021 4:00PM)

WHAT: Evacuation Orders Downgraded
WHEN: Effective Immediately
WHERE: El Dorado County, Amador County, Alpine County

Evacuation Order Update:
The following Evacuation Orders have been downgraded to Evacuation Warnings in Amador County:
Zones 4A and 5A
• South of Highway 88 along the Amador/El Dorado County line from Dufrene Road, due east to the Amador/Alpine County line and from the Amador/Alpine County line north to Hwy 88.

The following Evacuation Warnings have been lifted in Amador County:
Zones 4B and 5B
• South of Dufrene Road due east to the Amador/Alpine County line. West of the of the Amador/Alpine County line and north of the Amador/Calaveras County line. Concluding with a western border of Panther Creek Road.

The following Evacuation Warnings have been lifted in Alpine County:
Zone 19 and 20
• Highway 88 Picket’s Junction south to Kirkwood and the Alpine/Amador County line.
• Wilderness and forested areas south of 88 and west of Blue Lakes.

The following Evacuation Warnings have been lifted in El Dorado County:
Zones referred on map as:
• SE Pollock
• Greater Grizzly
• Caldor
• Pipi
• Not including Grizzly Flats Proper

Please be careful in all areas as there is still work being done by emergency personnel. Drive slowly and be safe.

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Evacuation Warnings Have Been Lifted (9/16/2021 1:30PM)

WHAT: Evacuation Orders Downgraded
WHEN: Effective Immediately
WHERE: El Dorado County

Evacuation Order Update:
The following Evacuation warnings have been lifted in El Dorado County:

East zone:
Washoe Meadows area including all residences accessed from North Upper Truckee Road, Tahoe Mountain Road, Lake Tahoe Boulevard, west of Tahoe Mountain Road and Chiapa Drive.

REMINDER: There is still a temporary Emergency Closure in effect for the Eldorado National Forest through the end of September. This closure includes all National Forest Service lands, roads (including Mormon Emigrant Trail) and trails within the Eldorado National Forest. See Forest Order 03-21-14 for more information. To request access to private lands and recreational residences accessible via closed Forest Service roads, please contact your local Forest Service District Office.

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit closure order 19-21-05 remains in effect for the following backcountry areas: Desolation Wilderness, Meiss Country, Barker Pass and McKinney/Rubicon through September 19, 2021. 

Repopulation consists of complex coordination between fire, law enforcement, public works, and utilities to ensure the safety of residents and fire responders alike.

The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. Please continue to adhere to road closures and any evacuation orders and warnings. A reminder to drive slowly and yield to emergency personnel in the area. There will be smoke in the respective areas as firefighters continue firefighting operations. If at any time you feel unsafe, please call 911. For tips on returning home after wildfire visit: Returning Home Checklist - Ready for Wildfire.

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Evacuation Orders have been downgraded to Evacuation Warnings in El Dorado County (9/16/2021 9:10AM)

WHAT: Evacuation Orders Downgraded
WHEN: Effective Immediately
WHERE: El Dorado County

Evacuation Order Update:
The following Evacuation orders have been downgraded to Evacuation Warnings in El Dorado County:

• South of Mormon Emigrant Trail to Highway 88 and west on Highway 88 to Hams Station.
• South of Highway 50 from Ice House Road to Silver Fork Road, to include the community of Kyburz and east of Mormon Emigrant Trail to Highway 88.

REMINDER: There is still a temporary Emergency Closure in effect for the Eldorado National Forest through the end of September. This closure includes all National Forest Service lands, roads (including Mormon Emigrant Trail) and trails within the Eldorado National Forest. See Forest Order 03-21-14 for more information. To request access to private lands and recreational residences accessible via closed Forest Service roads, please contact your local Forest Service District Office.

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit closure order 19-21-05 remains in effect for the following backcountry areas: Desolation Wilderness, Meiss Country, Barker Pass and McKinney/Rubicon through September 19, 2021.

Repopulation consists of complex coordination between fire, law enforcement, public works, and utilities to ensure the safety of residents and fire responders alike.

The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. Please continue to adhere to road closures and any evacuation orders and warnings. A reminder to drive slowly and yield to emergency personnel in the area. There will be smoke in the respective areas as firefighters continue firefighting operations. If at any time you feel unsafe, please call 911. For tips on returning home after wildfire visit: Returning Home Checklist - Ready for Wildfire.

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WEST ZONE Situation Summary:

Warm and dry conditions continued over the fire today. It will be clear across the fire this evening with some haze from smoke drifting north from other fires. Expect warm temps and low RH over the next several operational periods. Fuel moistures remain critically low for both live and dead fuels. Southwest winds forecasted for today and through the rest of the week. A Fire Weather Watch is forecasted for 9/18 for strong SW winds. Over the next operational period, fire fighters will look to continue to construct control lines and mitigate hazard in and around communities and roadways to “make safe” for repopulation efforts. Fire suppression repair is ongoing. Crews are mending hand and dozer lines built to prevent erosion in the upcoming winter months.

To better provide public and firefighter safety due to extreme fire conditions throughout Northern California, and strained firefighter resources throughout the country, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing a temporary closure of all National Forests in California. The closure order can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/USFSClosure.

EAST ZONE Situation Summary:

Conditions were slightly cooler today, with light west winds through the afternoon with occasional gusts to 20 mph. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Saturday for high winds, which will remain high on Sunday but will be accompanied by higher humidity and lower temperatures than will be present on Saturday.

Today, fire crews continued their progress to the west from Echo Lakes into Desolation Wilderness, where they are picking up any remaining heat and securing the edge. The fire has made very little forward progress in this area, as well as in the Pyramid and Ralston Peak areas. Smoldering and creeping will continue over the remaining unconfined areas of the fire, but fire spread has moderated dramatically in recent days. Tactical patrols continue to ensure that no heat remains in populated areas around Christmas Valley and in other contained areas of the Fire. 

Road Closures

ALPINE COUNTY

Road Closures: 

• None

Evacuation Shelters

EL DORADO COUNTY SHELTERS

• Rolling Hills Church
  800 White Rock Road
  El Dorado Hills, CA

• Reno-Sparks Convention Center
  4590 South Virginia Street, Reno

NEVADA STATE SHELTERS

• Reno-Sparks Convention Center
  4590 South Virginia Street, Reno

Animal Evacuation Centers

EL DORADO COUNTY

• El Dorado County Animal Services (small animals)
  6435 Capitol Ave.
  Diamond Springs, CA
  For animal evacuation questions or assistance call (530) 621-5795

• Saureel Vineyards (large animals) (FULL)
  1140 Cold Springs Road
  Placerville, CA
  (530) 621-5795

NEVADA

• East to West Grooming
  1368 Hwy 395, Unit B1, Gardnerville, NV
  - (Small Animals Only)
  
  
• Washoe County Animal Services
  2825 Longley Ln, Ste A Reno, NV
  
  
• Douglas County Fairgrounds- (Livestock)
  920 Dump Road, Gardnerville, NV
  775-782-9061

• Douglas County Animal Services
  921 Dump Rd. Gardnerville, NV
  - (Small Animals Only)

USFS Forest Information

• The Region-wide Forest closure order will be terminated at 11:59 PM September 15, 2021
• The Eldorado National Forest forest-wide closure (03-21-14) remains in effect until September 30. Access and orders will be refined over time.
• The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit closure order (19-21-05) remains in effect for the following backcountry areas: Desolation Wilderness, Meiss Country, Barker Pass and McKinney/Rubicon through Sep. 19, 2021. Access and orders will be refined over time.
• A Burned Area Emergency Response Team (BAER) has started evaluating the Caldor Fire area. This is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by a BAER team to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and take immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first post-fire damaging events.

Evacuation Information:

Amador County Evacuations

Amador County Evacuation Warnings:

• ZONE 4A- South of Highway 88 along the Amador/El Dorado County Line from Dufrene Road, north of the line due East from Dufrene Road to the Amador/Alpine County Line, west of the line due south from Highway 88 to the east end of Salt Springs Reservoir.
• ZONE 5A- South of Highway 88 along the Amador/El Dorado County Line, north of the line due east from Dufrene Road to the Amador/ Alpine County Line, east of the line due south from Highway 88 to the east end of Salt Springs Reservoir, west of the Amador/Alpine County Line.

El Dorado County Evacuations

El Dorado County Evacuation Orders:

• CAPLES CREEK - This section is south of Highway 50 east of Kyburz up to 41 Milestone Tract and south all the way to Highway 88 between 1 mile east of Mormon Immigrant Trail up to Caples Lake following the county line.
• DESOLATION - This section extends south of the Placer County line in the area of the Rubicon Trail between Spider Lake and Sourdough Hill and extends south into Desolation Wilderness all the way to Highway 50 to include the areas of Rockbound Lake, Rubicon Reservoir, Highland Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Schmidell Lake and Twin Lakes south to Highway 50 between Wrights Lake Road and Twin Bridges. The eastern edge of this area is in line with Clyde Lake and Pyramid Lake.
• DESOLATION EAST - The area north of Echo Lake, following the Desolation Wilderness north staying west of Fallen Leaf Lake, Cascade Lake, and Emerald Bay up to the Placer County Line
• DESOLATION NORTH - This is the area of Desolation Wilderness south of the Placer County Line extending to Emerald Bay, but staying within Desolation Wilderness.
• GRIZZLY FLAT PROPER - The communities of Grizzly Flats and Blue Mountain remain Closed. South of the intersection of Cosumnes Mine Road and Sciaroni Road, North and East of the intersection of Grizzly Flat Road and Steely Road, West of the intersection of Capps Crossing Road and Cypress Point Drive.
• HEAVENLY - East of Pioneer Trail between Larch and Al Tahoe, to include the area of Heavenly Ski Resort out to the Alpine County Line and the Nevada State line on the east.
• HELL HOLE - Northeast of Highway 89, west of the Alpine County line, and south of Tahoe Paradise Golf Course.
• MET TO HWY 88 - South of Mormon Emigrant Trail to Highway 88. West on Highway 88 to Hams Station.
• NORTH ECHO - North of Highway 50 between Twin Bridges and Echo Summit, extending to the north just past Upper Echo Lake
• SOUTH ECHO - South of Highway 50 starting at Camp Sacramento to the top of Echo Summit then proceeding due south to the Alpine County Line.
• TRIMMER - The area east of Pioneer Trail to the Alpine County Line stopping south of Heavenly Ski Resort, excluding all residences off of Pioneer Trail.

El Dorado County Evacuation Warnings:

• MEYERS - All residences in Meyers north of Highway 89 and east of Highway 50 to include all streets accessed from Apache, Mandan, following Pioneer Trail northeast just past Elks Club.
• CRYSTAL BASIN B: From Ice House Road east to the border of desolation wilderness and from the Placer County line, south to Granite Springs Road and the area south of Granite Springs Road to Highway 50 at Wrights Lake Road
• CHRISTMAS VALLEY - All residences accessed from Highway 89 south of Highway 50 in Meyers through Christmas Valley and including all of South Upper Truckee.
• FALLEN LEAF C - The area of Fallen Leaf Road from Tahoe Mountain Road into the end of Fallen Leaf Road. The privately owned residences are open to be occupied under this warning. The US Forest Service permitted residences must get an exemption permit from the US Forest Service prior to returning and that will likely be in the form of a day pass only.
• US 50 SOUTH TO KYBURZ - South of Highway 50 from Ice House Road to Silver Fork Road, to include the community of Kyburz, excluding the area south of the south fork of the American River. East of Mormon Emigrant Trail to Highway 88.
• MET TO HWY 88 - South of Mormon Emigrant Trail to Highway 88. West on Highway 88 to Hams Station.
• SLY TO 36 MILESTONE

Alpine County Evacuations

Evacuation Order:

• None

Evacuation Warning:

• ZONE 21A – Highway 89 at Pickett’s Junction west to the Alpine/El Dorado County Line
• ZONE 22A – Pickett’s Junction Northeast to Fay Luther Canyon
  • Horse Thief Canyon to Fay Luther Canyon

Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.

Engines

144

Water Tenders

45

Helicopters

14

Air Tankers

0

Dozers

24

Hand Crews

46

Other

25

Total Personnel

2702

Cooperating Agencies