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Caldor Fire: More evacuation orders downgraded to warnings

Caldor Fire: More evacuation orders downgraded to warnings
MEANWHILE CONTAINMENT CONTINUES , TO GROW ON THE CALDOR FIRE IN EL DORADO COUNTY. AFTER FLARE-UPS INSIDE CONTAINMENT LINES EARLIER THIS WEEK AND DESPITE THE RISING SMOKE NEAR HIGHWAY 88 IN THE KIRKWOOD AREA YESTERDAY FIRE OFFICIALS SAY CONDITIONS WERE ACTUALLY FAVORABLE AND THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE PROGRESS. CONTAINMENT NOW STANDS A
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Caldor Fire: More evacuation orders downgraded to warnings
More evacuation orders were downgraded Friday for the Caldor Fire that's been burning for more than a month in several counties across Northern California. The following area was downgraded to a warning:Heavenly - East of Pioneer Trail between Larch and Al Tahoe, to include the area of Heavenly Ski Resort out to the Alpine County Line and the Nevada State line east Highway 50 was also reopened to fire evacuees Monday so residents can survey their properties. Passes are required to gain access. Click here for more information. The fire, which ignited Aug. 14 near Little Mountain between Omo Ranch and Grizzly Flats, has burned at least 221,505 acres, or about 346 square miles, and containment stands at 76%, according to the U.S. Forest Service. It is currently the 15th-largest wildfire in state history and the 16th-most destructive.Click here to see a map showing the fire's progression.Cal Fire says 782 homes and 18 commercial properties had been confirmed destroyed. The fire also damaged fiber lines. The fire's growth has stalled in recent days, and President Joe Biden toured damage from the wildfire last week as part of his effort to drum up support for his massive $3.5 trillion spending plan by linking it to beating back wildfires and upgrading social programs. "These fires are blinking 'code red' for our nation. They're gaining frequency and ferocity," Biden said after concluding an aerial tour of the Caldor Fire. Jeff Cornett was one of the many Grizzly Flats residents who lost his home in wildfire, but he's determined to rebuild."It was a little bit emotional," Cornett said over the weekend as he stood by the burned remains of his property. "But I knew for the most part what I was coming here to see." | VIDEO BELOW| LiveCopter 3 footage on Sept. 3 shows Grizzly Flats damage from Caldor FireLatest evacuation updates The stretch of Highway 50 that had been closed due to the blaze reopened Tuesday for residents to survey their properties.When evacuation orders are reduced to warnings, people can begin returning to the area but are advised to remain ready to evacuate at a moment's notice in case fire activity flares up.Click here for the complete list of evacuation orders and warningsApp users, click here to see a map of active evacuation ordersRoad closures Click here for more information on highway closures Caldor Fire structure damage mapEl Dorado County officials launched a structure damage map so residents can see the status of their homes.The map is updated daily at 9 a.m.Click here to sign up for El Dorado County's alert notification system Caldor Fire timelineAug. 14The Caldor Fire ignites near Little Mountain between Omo Ranch and Grizzly Flats.Aug. 17The community of Grizzly Flats was mostly leveled by the fire, and two civilians were injured.Gov. Gavin Newsom also declared a state of emergency in El Dorado County, allowing for access to federal funds to assist in subduing the fire.Aug. 20Officials close Highway 50 to allow for first responders to travel across easier.Aug. 21A spot fire jumped north of Highway 50.Aug. 28The Caldor Fire reaches the mountain community of Strawberry, but crews were able to protect structures.Aug. 30The fire jumps east of Highway 89 near Echo Summit. U.S. Forest Service officials also announced they would close all national forests in the state as wildfire risk increases. Sept. 1Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the fire zone and spoke with KCRA reporter Mike TeSelle from Camp Sacramento."It's loss and I think that's really the story in the last couple of years. The anxiety. The loss, the fear. And now you see loss of lifestyles, places traditions. Grizzly Flats wiped off the map. Greenville wiped off the map. Prior to that up there, Paradise," said Newsom, referencing towns ravaged by California wildfires. "So it's remarkable to put it into perspective what we're up against in the context of a different kind of language and understanding of what this means for communities that have been completely torn asunder."Newsom also announced that within hours of California's request, the White House approved an emergency declaration to increase federal funding to assist with the Caldor Fire.Sept. 2 Officials say the Caldor Fire had its slowest growth rate since Day 1 of the fire. Sept. 5Evacuation orders for the city of South Lake Tahoe were reduced to warnings, allowing for residents to return home.Sept. 6Evacuation orders were reduced and warnings were lifted for Grizzly Flats, the community mostly destroyed by the Caldor Fire.Sept. 7More El Dorado County evacuees were able to return home as containment grows on the fire.Sept. 8Crews continued working along the closed stretch of Highway 50 clearing hazard trees as firefighters battle the Caldor Fire in the Tahoe area that has forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.Cal Fire said the highway cleanup effort will "support safe repopulation" for more evacuees "in the coming days."Sept. 9The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for portions of Northern California, including the entire Sacramento Valley and northern San Joaquin Valley.A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are happening now or will occur shortly. Things that can contribute to extreme fire behavior include lightning, strong winds, low relative humidity and warm weather.Sept. 12Evacuation orders in Christmas Valley, a community once threatened by fast-moving flames, were downgraded to warnings. Evacuation warnings for the City of South Lake Tahoe were also lifted entirely.Sept. 13President Joe Biden visits California and surveys damage from the Caldor Fire as part of an effort to drum up support for his massive $3.5 trillion spending plan by linking it to beating back wildfires and upgrading social programs.Sept. 16The section of Highway 88 that closed weeks ago due to the fire reopened from Peddler Hill, east to Kirkwood. Also, evacuation orders for Silver Lake and Kirkwood were reduced to warnings.Sept. 21The portion of Highway 50 that was closed due to the blaze reopened so that residents could survey their properties.Sept. 24Evacuation orders for the Heavenly area were downgraded to warnings.— The Associated Press contributed reporting.More Caldor Fire coverage Some Caldor Fire evacuees able to return home to Grizzly Flats El Dorado County extends assistance center services for those impacted by Caldor Fire Caldor Fire: Experts weigh in on wildfire effects on Tahoe-area bears, other animals Health experts advise Caldor Fire evacuees returning home to reduce smoke inhalation Tahoe evacuees report price-gouging during Caldor Fire Caldor Fire: 'Hazard trees' hampering highway reopening Some Caldor Fire evacuees returning home after being evacuated for 2 weeksHere’s how you can help victims of natural disasters without getting scammed‘Detrimental to firefighters’: Evacuees urged to not leave hoses, sprinklers running at home Fire crews save Camp Sacramento from Caldor Fire flames for now VIDEO: Tahoe man plays violin while being stuck in evacuation traffic GALLERY: Before and after photos show the Caldor Fire's impact on Lake Tahoe Red Cross volunteer on Caldor Fire: 'Everyone who needs help will be helped' 'Caldor is a real tough one for us': Cal Fire chief talks about blaze's progression Sly Park homes remain unscathed as Caldor Fire burns nearby Wildfire Smoke: Here’s what AQI really means El Dorado County assistance center opens for those impacted by Caldor Fire Galt officer dies after crash while en route to Caldor Fire Containment efforts continue on Caldor Fire; town of Meyers prepares to evacuate With Caldor Fire threatening, Lake Tahoe prepares for emergency Christmas Valley residents prepare for the possibility of Caldor Fire evacuationsCaldor Fire creates worry for El Dorado County winemakers, fruit growersGetting the word out. How deputies alert people to evacuation ordersThousands evacuate to shelters in El Dorado, Amador counties as Caldor Fire burnsHere’s how wildfire evacuees can cast their ballot for the CA recall electionHow to help people impacted by Northern California wildfiresVideo: A look at a Grizzly Flats neighborhood damaged in El Dorado County'A miracle': Woman learns Grizzly Flats home is still standing after Caldor FireEntire neighborhoods wiped, few homes stand in Grizzly Flats following Caldor Fire'It was getting too close for comfort': Caldor Fire evacuees rush to escape flamesUS military's firefighting aircraft assist in battling Caldor Fire | RELATED | Fire Season 2021 Preparedness Guide: What to know, how to keep your family safe

More evacuation orders were downgraded Friday for the Caldor Fire that's been burning for more than a month in several counties across Northern California.

The following area was downgraded to a warning:

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  • Heavenly - East of Pioneer Trail between Larch and Al Tahoe, to include the area of Heavenly Ski Resort out to the Alpine County Line and the Nevada State line east

Highway 50 was also reopened to fire evacuees Monday so residents can survey their properties. Passes are required to gain access. Click here for more information.

The fire, which ignited Aug. 14 near Little Mountain between Omo Ranch and Grizzly Flats, has burned at least 221,505 acres, or about 346 square miles, and containment stands at 76%, according to the U.S. Forest Service. It is currently the 15th-largest wildfire in state history and the 16th-most destructive.

Click here to see a map showing the fire's progression.

Cal Fire says 782 homes and 18 commercial properties had been confirmed destroyed. The fire also damaged fiber lines.

The fire's growth has stalled in recent days, and President Joe Biden toured damage from the wildfire last week as part of his effort to drum up support for his massive $3.5 trillion spending plan by linking it to beating back wildfires and upgrading social programs.

"These fires are blinking 'code red' for our nation. They're gaining frequency and ferocity," Biden said after concluding an aerial tour of the Caldor Fire.

Jeff Cornett was one of the many Grizzly Flats residents who lost his home in wildfire, but he's determined to rebuild.

"It was a little bit emotional," Cornett said over the weekend as he stood by the burned remains of his property. "But I knew for the most part what I was coming here to see."

| VIDEO BELOW| LiveCopter 3 footage on Sept. 3 shows Grizzly Flats damage from Caldor Fire

Latest evacuation updates

The stretch of Highway 50 that had been closed due to the blaze reopened Tuesday for residents to survey their properties.

When evacuation orders are reduced to warnings, people can begin returning to the area but are advised to remain ready to evacuate at a moment's notice in case fire activity flares up.

Click here for the complete list of evacuation orders and warnings

    App users, click here to see a map of active evacuation orders

    Road closures

      Click here for more information on highway closures

      Caldor Fire structure damage map

      El Dorado County officials launched a structure damage map so residents can see the status of their homes.

      The map is updated daily at 9 a.m.

      Click here to sign up for El Dorado County's alert notification system

      Caldor Fire timeline

      Aug. 14

      The Caldor Fire ignites near Little Mountain between Omo Ranch and Grizzly Flats.

      Aug. 17

      The community of Grizzly Flats was mostly leveled by the fire, and two civilians were injured.

      Gov. Gavin Newsom also declared a state of emergency in El Dorado County, allowing for access to federal funds to assist in subduing the fire.

      Aug. 20

      Officials close Highway 50 to allow for first responders to travel across easier.

      Aug. 21

      A spot fire jumped north of Highway 50.

      Aug. 28

      The Caldor Fire reaches the mountain community of Strawberry, but crews were able to protect structures.

      Aug. 30

      The fire jumps east of Highway 89 near Echo Summit. U.S. Forest Service officials also announced they would close all national forests in the state as wildfire risk increases.

      Sept. 1

      Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the fire zone and spoke with KCRA reporter Mike TeSelle from Camp Sacramento.

      "It's loss and I think that's really the story in the last couple of years. The anxiety. The loss, the fear. And now you see loss of lifestyles, places traditions. Grizzly Flats wiped off the map. Greenville wiped off the map. Prior to that up there, Paradise," said Newsom, referencing towns ravaged by California wildfires. "So it's remarkable to put it into perspective what we're up against in the context of a different kind of language and understanding of what this means for communities that have been completely torn asunder."

      Newsom also announced that within hours of California's request, the White House approved an emergency declaration to increase federal funding to assist with the Caldor Fire.

      Sept. 2

      Officials say the Caldor Fire had its slowest growth rate since Day 1 of the fire.

      Sept. 5

      Evacuation orders for the city of South Lake Tahoe were reduced to warnings, allowing for residents to return home.

      Sept. 6

      Evacuation orders were reduced and warnings were lifted for Grizzly Flats, the community mostly destroyed by the Caldor Fire.

      Sept. 7

      More El Dorado County evacuees were able to return home as containment grows on the fire.

      Sept. 8

      Crews continued working along the closed stretch of Highway 50 clearing hazard trees as firefighters battle the Caldor Fire in the Tahoe area that has forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.

      Cal Fire said the highway cleanup effort will "support safe repopulation" for more evacuees "in the coming days."

      Sept. 9

      The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for portions of Northern California, including the entire Sacramento Valley and northern San Joaquin Valley.

      A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are happening now or will occur shortly. Things that can contribute to extreme fire behavior include lightning, strong winds, low relative humidity and warm weather.

      Sept. 12

      Evacuation orders in Christmas Valley, a community once threatened by fast-moving flames, were downgraded to warnings. Evacuation warnings for the City of South Lake Tahoe were also lifted entirely.

      Sept. 13

      President Joe Biden visits California and surveys damage from the Caldor Fire as part of an effort to drum up support for his massive $3.5 trillion spending plan by linking it to beating back wildfires and upgrading social programs.

      Sept. 16

      The section of Highway 88 that closed weeks ago due to the fire reopened from Peddler Hill, east to Kirkwood. Also, evacuation orders for Silver Lake and Kirkwood were reduced to warnings.

      Sept. 21

      The portion of Highway 50 that was closed due to the blaze reopened so that residents could survey their properties.

      Sept. 24

      Evacuation orders for the Heavenly area were downgraded to warnings.

      — The Associated Press contributed reporting.

      More Caldor Fire coverage

      | RELATED | Fire Season 2021 Preparedness Guide: What to know, how to keep your family safe