Cause of Angora fire determination expected Wednesday

Investigators seeking the cause of the Angora fire expect to have an answer as to what started the catastrophic fire in South Lake Tahoe by Wednesday, officials said this afternoon.

Fire officials also expect to reduce the total number of homes lost so far down from 200. The damage assessment team will release the final numbers when the assessments are complete.

Estimates of cost to fight the fire, now resting between $30 million and $50 million, should be released later tonight or Wednesday.

This afternoon, firefighters are racing against time and Mother Nature to provide structure protection in advance of Wednesday's expected winds. As of 1:30 p.m., the fire remains at 40 percent containment.

Chuck Dickson, lead information officer with Management Team I, said "It's an interesting thing. When the smoke comes up we can't get the air efforts we need. When the wind comes up and blows the smoke out the fire becomes more aggressive."

Dickson is a captain with the Kern County Fire Department.