The Caldor Fire broke out in the El Dorado National Forest on Saturday evening.
U.S. Forest Service-Updates: Get info on the Caldor Fire from the El Dorado National Forest.
–Information line: (530) 303-2455
-Maps: Find from the U.S. Forest Service.
A wildfire broke out Saturday in the El Dorado National Forest southwest of Lake Tahoe, about 40 miles as the crow flies from South Shore. The Caldor Fire had grown to 754 acres by Monday morning with no containment, burning through heavy timber in a steep river canyon, the U.S. Forest Service said.
The El Dorado County Sheriff issued mandatory evacuation orders for Big Mountain and Leoni Meadows, home of a camp and retreat center.
The first flames were spotted at 7 p.m. Saturday four miles south of the small town of Grizzly Flats (population 1,000) and two miles east of the unincorporated community of Omo Ranch.
The fire was active overnight Sunday, spreading in all directions but especially on its eastern edge, the Forest Service said. Crews are working on a spot fire on Big Mountain Ridge.
Nearly 300 personnel are assigned to the blaze.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
