Caldor Fire in Northern California grows to over 200K acres near Lake Tahoe

Sept. 2 (UPI) — California’s Caldor Fire is nearing the Nevada border and Lake Tahoe on Thursday and has now burned more than 200,000 acres and hundreds of structures, fire authorities said.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the fire is stretching across the Eldorado National Forest toward South Lake Tahoe. The fire, which started on Aug. 14, has burned 208,000 acres and destroyed about 800 structures.

In its most recent update, Cal Fire said the blaze was 23% contained.

“Firefighters were challenged [Wednesday] by dry conditions and strong winds,” Cal Fire said in a statement. “These strong winds increased fire behavior dramatically along the northern area of the fire this morning. This evening crews will look for opportunities to build control line were possible.”

Authorities are issuing more evacuation orders ahead of the growing fire. Officials ordered 22,000 residents of South Lake Tahoe to evacuate on Monday and similar orders followed for Douglas County a day later.

The MontBleu, one of the Reno area’s largest casino hotels, has closed its doors due to the fire.

“[The MontBleu] will continue to provide housing and support to team member evacuees and firefighters working hard to contain the Caldor Fire, as well as remain in constant communication with the Stateline fire department,” MontBleu General Manager Tim Tretton said, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Many other casino hotels which dot the Lake Tahoe area had already closed, the Nevada Gaming Control Board said.

Lake Tahoe public utility officials warned evacuating residents against leaving their irrigation systems, garden hoses and sprinklers on as they leave. Authorities said doing so does not protect their property and often leaves firefighters with inadequate water supplies.

At Heavenly Mountain ski resort, employees used the resort’s large snowmaking machines to shoot water on buildings and soak the area in a bid to ward off the flames. Heavenly is Lake Tahoe’s largest ski area.