President Biden declared an emergency in California that will allow federal assistance for the Caldor fire, which has burned hundreds of structures and continues moving toward Nevada.
The fire barreled toward Lake Tahoe for several days amid heavy winds. But that threat became one of many as the fire moved in other directions, including north toward Wrights Lake and Desolation Wilderness and south toward Kirkwood. Officials say it remains highly dangerous, and thousands of weary firefighters are battling it on several fronts.
Firefighters battle the Caldor fire Thursday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters battle the Caldor on Thursday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Crews work as heavy winds died down Thursday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
By Thursday afternoon, the fire had scorched more than 210,000 acres.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
An Olympic Valley firefighter stops a truck for more water as the Caldor fire rages along Highway 89.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters try to control a prescribed burn.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters try to control a prescribed burn.
(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
A firefighter clears brush along Highway 89.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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A firefighter digs a line during a prescribed burn operation.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
A firefighter carries hose during the battle against the Caldor fire along Highway 89 west of Lake Tahoe on Thursday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
A firefighter clears brush as a tanker sprays fire retardant to help battle the Caldor fire along Highway 89 west of Lake Tahoe on Thursday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
The Caldor fire is reflected off Caples Lake near Kirkwood ski resort Wednesday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters from West Covina keep an eye out for embers as the Caldor fire approaches near Caples Lake on Wednesday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Snow makers spray mist as the Caldor fire approaches the ski resort of Kirkwood on Wednesday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Cal Fire firefighters walk down a hill during mop-up operations from the Caldor fire near the resort of Kirkwood on Wednesday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Cal Fire firefighter Travis Moore lights a backfire along Highway 50 as the Caldor fire burns near South Lake Tahoe.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
L.A. County firefighter Kevin Reid, right, and Capt. Donald Bailey battle the Caldor fire off Highway 89 west of South Lake Tahoe.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Workers from the Cedar Inn evacuate as the Caldor fire approaches South Lake Tahoe.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
The sun is blocked by smoke from the Caldor fire as it burns near Caples Lake in Kirkwood.
(Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
In this long exposure, embers fly from a tree as the Caldor fire continue to burn in Twin Bridges.
(Josh Edelson / AFP/Getty Images)
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A mile marker along Highway 50 points to Placerville as the Caldor fire burns near Strawberry, Calif.
(Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
Two firefighters monitor the Caldor fire near homes in South Lake Tahoe on Monday.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Firefighters battling the Caldor fire walk toward flames near South Lake Tahoe on Monday.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Evacuee Mel Smothers stepped out of his car to play the violin while waiting in a miles-long traffic jam on Highway 50 as people evacuated ahead of the Caldor fire on Monday in South Lake Tahoe.
(Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
Motorists evacuating from South Lake Tahoe stretch their legs while waiting for traffic to ease on Monday.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
The Caldor fire consumes trees in Twin Bridges.
(Josh Edelson / AFP/Getty Images)
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The Caldor fire burns as a chair lift sits empty at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort in the Eldorado National Forest.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
A snowmaking machine blasts water as the Caldor fire burns at Sierra-at-Tahoe.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
Firefighters discuss their plans while monitoring flames during the Caldor fire in Twin Bridges, Calif.
(Josh Edelson / AFP/Getty Images)
Seen in a long camera exposure, fire burns in the Eldorado National Forest.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
Traffic backs up in South Lake Tahoe as mandatory evacuations are underway.
(Andy Barron/Reno Gazette-Journal )
Dozer operator Todd McAuliffe monitors flames during the wildfire in Tragedy Springs, Calif.
(Josh Edelson / AFP/Getty Images)
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Smoke from the wildfire fills the sky above Lake Tahoe’s Zephyr Cove in Nevada’s Douglas County.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
A firefighter works to head off a spot fire from the Caldor fire, which started on a ridge behind a business on U.S. 50 in Strawberry, Calif.
