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Aug 31, 2021 - Science

In photos: Caldor Fire intensifies, threatens homes near South Lake Tahoe

Axios
A firefighter monitors a fire threatening the Echo Summit Lodge during the Caldor Fire on Aug. 30.

A firefighter monitors a fire threatening the Echo Summit Lodge during the Caldor Fire on Aug. 30. Photo: David Odisho/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Caldor Fire continued to intensify Tuesday, threatening nearly 34,000 structures as it headed toward South Lake Tahoe.

The big picture: The blaze has already destroyed more than 660 structures and damaged dozens of others. It had grown to more than 191,607 acres and was 16% contained as of Tuesday morning.

  • All residents of South Lake Tahoe and many in surrounding areas have been ordered to evacuate.
  • Winds and critically dry conditions make conditions ripe for the fire to continue to push into the Lake Tahoe Basin Tuesday, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Context via Axios' Andrew Freedman: Climate change, along with decades of land management policies, is leading to larger wildfires in the West. It's also creating more frequent extreme fire weather conditions that lead to wildfires that are nearly impossible to contain.

Fire crews worked all night to stop the Caldor Fire's spread spread after it spotted across US Highway 89 on Aug. 30.
Fire crews worked all night to stop the Caldor Fire's spread after it made its way across U.S. Highway 89 on Aug. 30. Photo: Neal Waters/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Traffic on Highway 50 as people evacuate ahead of the Caldor Fire in South Lake Tahoe, California on Aug. 30.
Traffic on Highway 50 as people evacuate ahead of the Caldor Fire in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Aug. 30. Photo: David Odisho/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Firemen attempt to extinguish a fire as the Caldor Fire approaches residential areas.
A fire crew attempts to extinguish a fire as it approaches residential areas on Aug. 30. Photo: Neal Waters/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The Caldor Fire.
The Caldor Fire expands within and around South Lake Tahoe on Aug. 30. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The Caldor Fire burns in the hills above homes on Aug. 30.
The Caldor Fire burns in the hills above homes on Aug. 30. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Embers fly off a burning tree during the Caldor fire in Twin Bridges, California on Aug. 29.
Embers fly off a burning tree during the Caldor fire in Twin Bridges, Calif., on Aug. 29. Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
Caldor Fire
Fire crews advance toward the growing Caldor Fire on Aug. 30. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Go deeper: California's Caldor Fire nears South Lake Tahoe after thousands flee

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