Quick Facts:
 
Approximate Acreage | 221,835
Containment | 98%
Repair Completed | 49% line and 38% isolated areas
Start Date | 08/14/2021
Cause | Under Investigation
Total Personnel | 586

Summary: Warmer temperatures allowed resources to capitalize working within a good weather window. Significant weather events are predicted to start arriving today and throughout the weekend as a series of storms pass through the area. These events are expected to produce several inches of rain and snow at higher elevation. “The rain will be welcome across the area as much of northern and central California remains in extreme to exceptional drought.” said Derek Williams, Incident Meteorologist.Both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit continue to evaluate when, where, and how suppression repair can be completed. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is already engaged implementing road and trail stabilization projects. A special emphasis is given to possible affects to infrastructure, watersheds and water quality.Although the fire is almost fully contained, resources are actively monitoring the potential impacts of precipitation. The snow level may drop to 6000 feet making some of the fire area inaccessible. Weather already prevented one repair group from continuing operations. This group was reassigned to another portion of the fire. Shifting resources maximizes the overall effectiveness of operations and balances both long and short-term priorities. 
 
Weather|Anticipated Fire Behavior: An active weather front starting today is expected to bring light showers and up to .4 inches of rain. Another front is expected over the weekend with snow levels down to 6000 feet on Sunday. Fire behavior analysts do not expect any fire spread potential over the next few days.
 
Planned Actions:  The associated precipitation over the next few days will challenge repair efforts. Fire operations will carefully monitor the situation and limit resources in areas where road conditions make engagement unsafe. 

Caldor Fire Update 10.19.2021 

Quick Facts
Approximate Acreage | 221,835
Containment | 98%
Repair Completed | 48% line and 38% isolated areas
Start Date | 08/14/2021
Cause | Under Investigation
Total Personnel | 651
 

Summary: A blanket of snow covered the higher elevations across the fire area yesterday. This forced resources to shift priorities to the southern perimeter of the fire where lower elevation offered relief from the slippery and soft conditions. Heavy equipment and crews focused efforts along the Mormon Emigrant Trail (MET) and in the vicinity of Alder Hill. The Incident Management Team (IMT) will continue to refine the resources assigned to the fire to ensure that numbers align with incident needs and priorities. One may have seen a host of different pieces of heavy equipment moving around the fire area. This is an effort to “out maneuver” the expected weather systems and position the right piece of the equipment in the right place. Significant work remains to repair the 400 miles of suppression line within the fire area. The IMT, Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit are committed to the challenge ahead.

Weather|Anticipated Fire Behavior: A brief respite from cold and wet conditions will arrive today. Some smoke may be visible as heavy fuels burn down and snow melts. The first of many systems bringing precipitation back to the area will arrive tomorrow preceded by strong winds in the morning. Fire behavior should remain minimal through the weekend with only the largest of fuels interior to the fire continuing to burn.

Planned Actions:  Incident personnel will focus on repair work  primarily in lower elevations on the Eldorado National Forest, across the southern extent of the fire. This work will pay special attention to erosion control measures like wattles, water bars and other diversion tactics as a significant amount of rain and/or snow is anticipated through the weekend. 

Email updates: https://tinyurl.com/ts5zwmyz 

Resumen: Tanto el Eldorado National Forest como EL Lake Tahoe Basin ManagementUnit están comprometidos con las reparaciones dentro de las áreas afectadas por el Incendio Caldor. El Eldorado Spike Camp en el lado oeste del incendio se trasladó ayer de Placerville Fairgrounds a Amador County Fairgrounds en Plymouth, CA. Tenga en cuenta que es probable que aumente el tráfico en las horas de la mañana y de la noche cuando las cuadrillas salen y regresan del campo.
Trabajando bajo restricciones climáticas, el personal del incidente está trasladando las operaciones a áreas de menor elevación prioritarias que no se hayan visto afectadas por la humedad reciente. El enfoque en las cuencas hidrográficas y las ubicaciones adyacentes a los valores en riesgo (infraestructura, pino de corteza blanca, senderos, etc.), además de las medidas de control de la erosión, siguen siendo las principales prioridades. El personal está limpiando alcantarillas, cortando árboles e instalando barbas. Las barbas son tubos largos de malla llenos de paja que a menudo se utilizan como táctica de reparación para mitigar los escurrimientos fuertes. Colocadas en paralelo a la pendiente, las barbas ralentizan o desvían el flujo de agua cuesta abajo, lo que permite que la humedad se absorba en el suelo.
El número de reparaciones puede variar ligeramente de un día a otro. Durante las etapas iniciales de la extinción de un incendio, las líneas de contención no siempre están documentadas. A medida que se identifican nuevas líneas dentro delperímetro del incendio, esas millas se agregan al total de reparación necesaria.

Clima | Comportamiento anticipado del fuego: Una humedad significativa en el área del incendio moderará el comportamiento del fuego. La nieve cubrió elevaciones más altas en la parte este del fuego. Las laderas orientadas al sur y al oeste en la extensión occidental del incendio comenzarán a secarse antes de la próxima ronda de humedad prevista para el miércoles. Los combustibles pesados probablemente arderán sin llama y producirán humo durante algún tiempo, mientras que los escombros más pequeños mostrarán una actividad de fuego mínima. 

Acciones planificadas: Las inclemencias del tiempo son siempre un desafío,pero la seguridad del público y los recursos del incidente son primordiales. Los árboles peligrosos seguirán siendo motivo de preocupación debido al viento reciente y la humedad mensurable. Las operaciones de reparación avanzarán a medida que las cuadrillas puedan acceder de manera segura a las áreas al otro lado del incendio. Mientras el fuego se acerca a la contención, el trabajo dentro del área quemada continúa. Las cuadrillas trabajarán diligentemente para lograr los objetivos establecidos por el comandante del incidente encoordinación con los funcionarios forestales locales.

Quick Facts:

• Fire Location  - Southeast of Placerville, CA along US 50 to South Lake Tahoe
• Approximate Acreage -  221,835 Acres
• Containment - 98%
• Repair Completed - 48% line construction (ex: dozers & hand lines), 37%  isolated areas (ex: airdrops, staging)
• Start Date -  8/14/2021
• Cause - Under Investigation
• Incident Commander  - Jeff Knudson, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team # 7 
• Total Personnel - 669

Caldor Fire Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will the fire be 100% Contained?

A: At this time, we’re unable to say exactly since mop-up operations are incomplete. Please visit the Inciweb site for updates.  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7801/

Q: Is Mormon Emigrant Trail open?

A: No, it is within the Caldor Fire closure order 03-21-19 and was damaged during the incident. (see order Forest Order 03-21-19)

Q: Is hunting allowed?

A: Yes, hunting is allowed in areas NOT closed due to the Caldor Fire (see Forest orders for Eldorado NF and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit)

Q: Is there a recovery for damages caused by the Caldor Fire?

A: On state and private lands, site rehabilitation is the responsibility of the landowner, however, different public agencies might have programs that provide assistance. There are a few resources homeowners can consult for wildfire recovery – El Dorado Count and PG & E. California Office of Emergency Services has links to FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster assistance programs.

Quick Facts:

• Fire Location  - Southeast of Placerville, CA along US 50 to South Lake Tahoe
• Approximate Acreage -  221,835 Acres
• Containment - 98%
• Repair Completed - 42% line construction (ex: dozers & hand lines), 33%  isolated areas (ex: airdrops, staging)
• Start Date -  8/14/2021
• Cause - Under Investigation
• Incident Commander  - Jeff Knudson, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team # 7 
• Total Personnel - 681

Summary: With close to 200-miles of fire line left to repair, crews are actively working to complete priority areas ahead of this evening’s storm. The current repair work creates the foundation for future partnerships, projects, and other resource benefits. Dangerous conditions exist from fire weakened trees that could be susceptible to today’s high winds and forecasted moisture. Agency personnel urge public cooperation by adhering to current forest closure orders. These can be found in the links provided below.

Long duration incidents heavily impact local communities and personnel assigned to those incidents. The numerous signs of gratitude and appreciation seen within the communities affected by the Caldor Fire bolster firefighter morale and are greatly appreciated. Several resources are available to citizens impacted by the Caldor Fire. For more information visit: https://www.edcgov.us/Pages/Caldor-Fire-Recovery.aspx

Weather|Anticipated Fire Behavior: Warm weather has reduced fine fuel moistures to critical levels. This could increase fire spread where smoldering fuels are adjacent to unburned areas. Strong winds are predicted in advance of the incoming weather event. Significant moisture is expected across the entire fire area.

Planned Actions: Snow is expected Sunday night into Monday which will significantly dampen repair work at higher elevations. Repair work will continue although it might look different as resources will be capitalizing on opportunities in lower elevations.

Quick Facts:

• Fire Location  - Southeast of Placerville, CA along US 50 to South Lake Tahoe
• Approximate Acreage -  221,835 Acres
• Containment - 98%
• Repair Completed - 46% line construction (ex: dozers & hand lines), 30%  isolated areas (ex: airdrops, staging)
• Start Date -  8/14/2021
• Cause - Under Investigation
• Incident Commander  - Jeff Knudson, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team # 7 
• Total Personnel - 681

• Inciweb:     https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7801/
• Facebook: @EldoradoNF @LakeTahoeUSFS
• Twitter:     @EldoradoNF @LakeTahoeUSFS

Closures: 
 
ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST:

• Forest Order 03-21-19 - Area, Road, and Trail Closure
• Forest Order 03-21-20 - Fire Restrictions

LAKE TAHOE BASIN MANAGEMENT UNIT (LTBMU):

• Forest Order 19-21-06 –Emergency Closure
• Forest Order 19-21-01 – Fire Restrictions