It is one of the natural gems of the American West. The Lake Tahoe region, the largest alpine lake in North America, located on the border between California and Nevada, is threatened by the Caldor fire, a blaze that has already covered more than 700 km2, destroying several hundred buildings and clearing thick smoke that pollutes northern California. On Monday, thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate, while the fire, fueled by strong winds, is only 14% contained.
Here’s a look at the traffic back up heading towards Stateline roughly an hour after Evac orders were issued in most of South Lake Tahoe. It is congested all the way to the Y at least. Remember. 50 w closed. 88w closed. 89N closed. Be patient. Be safe. @ ABC10 #caldorfire pic.twitter.com/EVvdZ2a0hU
– Van Tieu (@Van_Tieu) August 30, 2021
“The conditions and fuels are historic,” lamented to the San Francisco Chronicle Fire Commander Jeff Veik. “We are going to put out this fire. But it won’t be today. “
Snow cannons as reinforcements
The Caldor Fire is just one of dozens of blazes ravaging the chronic drought-stricken western United States further exacerbated by the effects of climate change. More than 7,000 km2 of vegetation have already burned, more than double the average at this time of year.
In total, some 22,000 people were ordered to evacuate to the area on Monday morning. An AFP reporter saw an endless line of vehicles attempting to exit South Lake Tahoe, idling, bumper to bumper. Sunday, the fire had roamed the slopes of Twin Bridges, where skiers usually indulge in the joys of winter sports. Snow cannons were used in an attempt to moisten the terrain and thus keep the flames at bay.
California Fire Chief Thom Porter said the blaze had grown nearly 80 km2 overnight as the cloud cover cleared. “When the air comes out, it removes the lid on your pot of boiling water,” which feels like a draft, he told the Sacramento Bee. “It’s the same with a fire,” he explained.
15,000 firefighters mobilized
Further north, the gigantic Dixie Fire continued to expand, having engulfed more than 3,000 km2 since its departure six weeks ago. As of Monday morning, in California alone, more than 15,000 firefighters were fighting on the ground against about fifteen large-scale forest fires.
Their number and intensity have multiplied in recent years in the western United States, with a very marked lengthening of the fire season. According to experts, this phenomenon is particularly linked to global warming: the increase in temperature, the increase in heat waves and the drop in precipitation in places form an ideal incendiary cocktail.