Fire
The King Fire, just west of Lake Tahoe is a beast. It’s triple in size Wednesday night and Thursday from 27,930 acres to 71,000 acres across El Dorado National Forest and moved 16 miles towards Squaw Valley. The fire is only 10 miles from Squaw Valley right now. The King Fire just started last Saturday.
This morning the King Fire is 73,184 acres. Over 12,000 homes are threatened by the blaze and 9,000 more structures are threatened. 2,819 people have been evacuated. 3,842 personnel are fighting this fire.
timelapse video of King Fire on September 17th, 2014
8 Miles of Highway 50 were closed from Pollock Pines to Riverton yesterday. There is fear of this fire affecting Highway 80 as it moves north.
The King Fire is only 10% contained at this point.
Thankfully, officials do not think this fire could get over the Pacific Crest due to the large amount of granite found there:
video discussing why King Fire most likely won’t cross the Sierras into the Lake Tahoe area.
Latest Update on King Fire from El Dorado County:
Current Situation: The King Fire is burning in steep terrain in the South Fork of the American River Canyon, Silver Creek Canyon, and the Rubicon canyon, north of the community of Pollock Pines. Lower temperatures and increased humidity helped fire crews make progress today. Most of the fire activity today was in the Long Canyon area on the northwest side of the fire. California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 is in Unified Command with CAL FIRE, Eldorado National Forest, and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
There is currently no threat to Lake Tahoe but officials are asking Lake Tahoe residents to be ready and stay informed.
Video about the King Fire arson.
The real bummer is that this fire was most likely started by some 37-year-old guy named Allen Huntsman. He’s been arrested on felony charges and is being held on $10 million bail. He’s already been convicted of 4 other felonies.
“On or about the 13th day of September… (Huntsman) did willfully and maliciously set fire to and burn, and cause to be burned, forest land located in and around Pollock Pines.” – the criminal complaint filed against Hustsman
PHOTO TOUR:
