The entire city of South Lake Tahoe was ordered to evacuate Monday as the Caldor Fire quickly approached the popular tourist destination. The situation caused chaos and gridlock on Highway 50 as residents and tourists tried to escape. You can see incredible images here.
Multiple homes along Highways 50 and 89 have burned as well as some structures at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort. The safety of residents remains priority number one.
“I'm so appreciative that our citizens listened to the warning and the order and evacuated the city,” said South Lake Tahoe Police Chief David Stevenson. “Their response was fantastic, and we appreciate them. I'm glad to know they are safe."
California is under extreme threat of wildfire. The risk is so great that the U.S. Forest Service has closed all national forests in the state until Sept. 17.
Fire Chief Thom Porter, head of CalFire, issued this dreadful warning:
“There is fire activity happening in California that we have never seen before. The critical thing for the public to know is evacuate early. For the rest of you in California: Every acre can and will burn someday in this state."