The blaze of the Caldor Fire in Eldorado National Forest slightly eased naturally after an improvement seen on the weather overnight. It naturally exited from its explosive progress recorded early this week.
Since Tuesday afternoon, most areas in Northern California were placed under a red flag warning because of low humidity and high wind levels. The weather has played a role in pushing the conflagration across the state’s northern part to spread fast, notably at the Caldor Fire, which, on Thursday morning has covered 65, 000 acres from the 6, 500 acres on Monday.
At 11:00 a.m. Thursday, the red flag warning was scheduled to lift at the Caldor Fire.
Overnight through Thursday morning, the Caldor fire expanded lower than 3, 000 acres. This is lesser as compared to the explosive progress seen in the last few days. Higher humidity levels have contributed to the easing of the fire, Cal Fire said, but cautioned that the blaze could reclaim its strength because of the changes in the weather.
“Fire growth was moderated overnight due to increased humidity,” according to a Thursday morning incident report by Cal Fire. “For the next operational period fire behavior will increase in the afternoon when the inversion layer lifts. Expect multiple new spot fires in the North and Northeast areas of the incident, causing potential fire growth.”
More than 20, 000 residents fled their homes in Pollock Pines, Kyburz, and Grizzly Flats, along with other populated locations affected by the Caldor Fire. The Sacramento Bee confirmed that the fire has left homes and a school in Grizzly Flats destroyed, while Cal Fire is yet to release the approximated structure damage.
On Wednesday morning, Cal Fire transferred a total of 30 engines from the far Dixie Fire to prepare for the rising threat to populated locations.
“We are moving resources around as needed …. It’s a surge, kind of, to where the greatest need is,” said Thom Porter, Cal Fire director.
