The Worst Fear is Reality: Caldor Reaches Tahoe Basin

The Caldor Fire reaching Tahoe is no longer an if, now a when. Fire churned through mountains just a few miles southwest of the Tahoe Basin, where thick smoke sent visitors packing at a time when summer vacations would usually be in full swing ahead of Labor Day weekend.

Evacuation warnings issued for the city of 22,000 on Sunday turned into orders yesterday. Thousands of people rushed to leave South Lake Tahoe as the entire resort city came under evacuation orders and the fire raced toward the Tahoe Basin.

Vehicles loaded with camping gear and hauling boats were stuck on Highway 50 as police and other emergency vehicles whizzed by. The fire destroyed multiple homes Sunday along Highway 50.

“This is a systematic evacuation, one neighborhood at a time,” said Travis Cabral, South Lake Tahoe police lieutenant on social media. “I am asking you as our community to please remain calm.”

The new orders came a day after communities several miles south of the lake were abruptly ordered evacuated as the Caldor Fire raged nearby. The fire roared through the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort, demolishing some buildings but leaving the main buildings at the base intact. The resort took a creative approach to firefighting by using its snow machines to blast the oncoming flames, and the method worked.  

South Lake Tahoe’s main medical facility, Barton Memorial Hospital, proactively evacuated 36 patients needing skilled nursing and 16 in acute care beds Sunday, sending them to regional facilities far from the fire, said public information officer Mindi Befu. The rest of the hospital was evacuating following yesterday’s expanded orders.

The region also faces a warning from the National Weather Service about critical fire weather remaining in effect today.