County prepares for evacuees from Caldor Fire

Smoke poured back into Carson Valley on Friday as shifting winds fanned the Caldor Fire, prompting the closure of Highway 50 from South Lake Tahoe to Sly Park.

This morning the Douglas County Community and Senior Center is being prepared for evacuees from the fire at the request of El Dorado County.

The Red Cross anticipated arriving at 8 a.m. All programs at the center are suspended until further notice, including senior dining.

Drive-through Meals on Wheels will begin operation again.

“We are asking for the public’s patience and understanding while we assist our neighboring county,” county officials said.

The Caldor Fire is burning 29 miles from Minden as the crow flies. The fire is at least 10 miles west of the Sierra crest. So far, it has consumed 82,444 acres and 245 structures south of Pollock Pines. It continues to threaten another 15,000 structures and is zero percent contained.

Air quality in Gardnerville hit very unhealthy levels at 6 p.m. Friday, after deteriorating rapidly starting around 3 p.m. As of Saturday morning, the monitor at Ranchos Aspen Park was reading moderate, but smoke is expected to return to unhealthy levels, again today.

Visibility at Minden-Tahoe Airport dropped to less than a mile 4:35 p.m. Friday and remained at 3 miles or less until after midnight when a shift in the wind cleared the smoke somewhat.

At 6 a.m. today visibility at the airport was 8 miles.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service Reno issued a statement that smoke and air quality will continue to have an impact through the weekend.

A lake wind advisory is in effect for 2-8 p.m. today with west winds 15-20 mph gusting to 35 mph and 1-3-foot waves on Lake Tahoe.

For information regarding the Caldor Fire visit: https://www.edcgov.us/Pages/Caldor-Fire.aspx