Excavators work along a power line in the Sierra. U.S. Forest Service Photo
As the date for the Caldor Fire’s full containment approaches, more than 2,000 fire and power company crews are working along highways 50, 88 and 89.
Thursday marks 10 days before the official date when firefighters expect to have a line entirely around the blaze.
As of Thursday morning the fire remains at 93 percent containment and 221,775 acres. There are 1,236 firefighters working to suppress the blaze and repair damage done in the effort to extinguish it.
It also marks the beginning of cooler and wetter weather over much of the fire that could help reduce the amount of burning but complicate restoration effort.
“Traffic congestion, delays and changes are likely,” fire officials said on Thursday. “All roads within this area are vulnerable to the icy conditions we will be experiencing.”
Even with the completion of a line around the fire’s perimeter, there are still islands of unburned material that will produce smoke as they succumb to the blaze.
Fire officials say people should expect to see single trees burning and pockets of smoke.
Despite the changing season, the forest remains very dry and any source ignition could cause a fire.
On Oct. 2, firefighters found a campfire burning near Trimmer Peak.
The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit reported the fire was found by an infrared flight and put out before it spread.
All fires, including gas and propane, are prohibited on the Eldorado National Forest.
El Dorado County has lifted all evacuation and warnings related to the fire.
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to keep an eye on fire conditions as they return to their homes.
There will be smoke in areas as firefighters continue operations, according to the sheriff’s office.
