Another major fire continues to burn...

Caldor Fire near Tahoe threatens Kyburz: 'That's the town in front of the fire'

Amy Graff

The pace of growth on California's Caldor Fire southwest of Lake Tahoe slowed overnight as temperatures cooled and humidity levels were moderate, but Highway 50 remained closed and it's unknown when the roadway that's a major artery between Sacramento and Tahoe will reopen, officials said.

The burn area of the fire stood at 106,562 acres Monday morning, Cal Fire said. The blaze that has had no containment since it started on Aug. 14 was 5% contained. 

"It grew about 5,000 acres yesterday, which is about one of the slowest days we've had," said Jason Hunter, a Cal Fire spokesperson. "The weather is helping."

Crews have tried to keep the blaze south of Highway 50 but on Saturday winds picked up and pushed flames across the roadway near Kyburz, a small community 18 miles east of Pollock Pines. 

"We've got lines on the head of and on both sides of that spot fire," Hunter said. "They're hoping to get containment around that. It's looking much better than it did 24 hours ago. Last I heard, it was about 250 acres."

Hunter said Kyburz remained at high risk for fire encroachment and crews are surrounding the community. 

"As far as towns and communities, Kyburz is our biggest concern," he said. "The way the wind is blowing it's pushing the fire toward Kyburz. "That's the town in front of the fire."

The Caldor Fire ignited in heavy timber in the Eldorado National Forest near the small town of Grizzly Flats south of Pollock Pines, burning a destructive path through the community of about 1,200 people. Photos from the aftermath show an elementary school, a post office and homes that were turned into piles of ash.

Hunter said the fire was still active in a steep canyon near Grizzly Flats and aircraft is expected to attack this area on Monday.

Cal Fire said more than 403 structures have been destroyed and damage assessments are still underway. A map of damaged structures is available from Cal Fire.

The U.S. Forest Service officials announced a complete shutdown of the Eldorado National Forest through Sept. 30 because of the fire. The Rubicon Trail is also closed. Air quality has plummeted in the region, with air quality index readings well over 300 near the lake and over 400 in the Truckee area; anything over 150 is considered "unhealthy" and readings over 300 are "hazardous" for all.