Gusty Winds Hamper Tahoe Wildfire Efforts

Strong Afternoon Winds Could Stoke Blaze That Has Destroyed 200 Homes, 3,000 Acres

(CBS/AP)  Firefighters were warned Wednesday that strong afternoon wind could again stoke the turbulent wildfire near Lake Tahoe and would threaten their safety, a day after a flare-up forced thousands of residents to flee.

At the northern edge of the fire zone, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker, crews used an arsenal of tools, hoping to starve the beast — knocking down trees, clearing out anything the fire could consume, and cooling down the area that erupted in flames late Tuesday and still smolders.

Hundreds of firefighters were battling the flames near the small town of Meyers and around the densely populated neighborhoods of the city of South Lake Tahoe.

“The strategy is to employ lots of fire engines (in South Lake Tahoe), scattered through these neighborhoods, so that if this acts up, we'll have enough fire engines out here to put out the fires that start breaking out on people's yards and on their roofs,” said Rich Hawkins, a Forest Service fire commander.

“The worst-case scenario is the fire would break out in multiple locations,” he said. “The biggest problem is just that there are so many homes in a combustible environment.”

Fire officials had believed on Tuesday that they had a handle on the eastern edge of the blaze, which has destroyed more than 200 homes and other buildings at the south end of the scenic alpine lake. But a large gust Tuesday afternoon forced firefighters off the line they had been holding for more than a day.

That surge briefly trapped two firefighters and forced the evacuation of a 300-home subdivision.

With stiffer gusts predicted, officials acknowledged that more homes, including some in the most affluent waterfront neighborhoods, could be threatened. Several officials at the briefing said the wind could also present a danger to firefighters themselves.

"It'll remain bone dry in the Lake Tahoe area," says CBS News meteorologist George Cullen. "The only chance of them seeing any rain won't be until Friday and even that is a bit of a long shot right now."

Everything was going fine until the winds picked up, and sent the back-burn in the opposite direction, toward a 300-home subdivision, reports CBS News correspondent Stephan Kaufman (audio). About 2,000 residents had to flee.

[peacethinker-2009]

Why don't these people cut the trees back from the houses. Looks like they're way to close to prevent this type of thing (houses burning). Come on, there's trees right up close and they act like they don't know how to prevent the fire from getting close to the house. Cut a swatch around the house, I understand it's nice to have the trees close, but a child can figure out the problem/solution here. Seems the insurance companies would have a problem with it too.

[oeangus]

I once worked in a once-pristine lake district/holiday resort area with all its over-population, pollution and crime problems. Hard for me to sympathize with the homeowners here. Do your thing, nature.

[lovereno]

To the reader who commented about clearing the trees. This is the whole problem in this area, the Tahoe Regional Planning Commission will NOT let you clear an area. Even if the tree is dead and lying on the ground, it must stay there. My understanding is they are worried about erosion.
Hence TONS of fuel for the fire. This is what the homeowners are so upset about. They would of loved to clear the area.

[peacethinker-2009]

Wow, the policy makers for that area need to take a sip of reality, be smart, sure don't over do it, but come on, some of it is needed.

[jetranger7]

DRINK MORE BEER TO PUT OUT THOSE FIRES !

[peacethinker-2009]

I hope those folks have to pay extra high insurance rates since they know well in advance the clearing policy and fire threat of the area.

[aaabee-2009]

"The homes sit in national forest lands and the beauty of these wooded surroundings are both a powerful draw to homeowners and what set them up for devastation."

Can anyone tell me if by "in", they mean these homes are actually in national forest lands? I thought national lands are held in public trust, away from development and human encroachment?

It costs money to visit public spaces these days, some cost enough that poorer people don't get in. I guess we are only saving green unspoiled spaces for the rich, like everything else these days.

[ubrew12]

I've backpacked in the area, its pretty dry in the summer, just to the lee of the Sierra Crest, but it's been getting dryer every year. This may also be related to Global Warming, like most of the Western Drought. I agree that if they're going to let people build homes in this kind of area, they should have the right to clear a green-zone.

[r-u-kidding]

Give me a break. This has nothing to do with global warming. Good Lord, this is just a natural event on planet Earth and has been happening for eons. That's what fire insurance is for. At least people are able to get out unharmed, and for the most part even have time to pack valuable and memories into their cars beforehand.

[rushlimpdrug]

Smokey looks grim.
I think he needs to get his lard azz to work.
Holding that shovel ain't gonna cut it.
"People don't cause fire. Trees cause fire"

[hlgplfe5]

There is no such thing as global warming. Give it up.

[usawatchman]

HEADS UP - Immigration bill may be a BACK DOOR to
elect a PRESIDENT who was not BORN inthe USA

[rushlimpdrug]

BACK DOOR to
elect a PRESIDENT who was not BORN inthe USA
Posted by USAwatchman

What are you talking about? ?
This is a fire.

[opqual]

Thats what homeowners insurance is for...

You do have it, don't you... ?

[mnelsonix]

Some really retarded posts here...geeze

[toyfield]

Fires at Lake Tahoe are inevitable as they are in all forests and brush areas in California. In Lake Tahoe area there are too many conflicts between all the agencies, visitors, locals, and mother nature. Nature will have the last word. The droughts have weakened the trees and the bark beetles have killed off many acres. The previous fire policy have allowed fuels to increase. People are warned to clear dead brush and overhanging limbs. There is a balance required as erosion is a problem with granitic soils. So as with all things people should prepare but they do not. The fires must happen for the environment to stay healthy and people must adapt to the ecology and be willing to accept the consequences if you want to live among such splendor.
The only consolation is that this forest area will recover and will be healthier and more productive than it has been in years. As Yellowstone burned I cheered knowing it would recover. It has recovered gloriously and Lake Tahoe will also recover. My only wish is that the firefighters who are working to save houses and protect people and limit damage are spared any injury.
So even though my parent have a home on south shore, my great grandparent's summer cabin is still on the west shore, and I have worked and lived on the LTBMU, I am glad for the fires.
Only please tell me if the Angora Lookout survived.

[jdubs63]

Really creepy and insensitive remarks...insurance beer, politics. Tahoe is beautiful and now is being destroyed. Instead of blah blah about insurance and beer offer some type of help it is desperately needed

[ubrew12]

"This has nothing to do with global warming" R-U-KIDDING
"There is no such thing as global warming. " hlgplfe5
I'm pretty sure drought in the West and MidWest and flooding elsewhere (like in Texas) is expected under most Global Warming scenarios, so you're wrong, this is Global Warming. Regarding drought, it'll get alot worse this century. Tahoe is right next to Nevada, and Nevada is desert. The desert expands, so these trees gonna burn. It's not just underbrush and dead trees, although it is that as well. Its also drought, and drought is El Nino, and El Nino is Global Warming. Live with it.