Update 6:40pm: EmeraldFire is now 210 acres and 80% contained. http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1460
Update 11:45am: Unified command has been established with the USFS, Lake Valley Fire, and CAL FIRE. Fire is burning in the Cascade Lake/ Emerald Bay region of South Lake Tahoe. Very strong winds ahead of the incoming storm system are fanning the fire in different directions resulting in dangerous rates of spread. Heavy precipitation is occurring over the fire now and wind is impacting firefighting operations. Over 500 structures are threatened. Firefighters continue to perform structure defense in active fire areas.
Evacuations: Mandatory- Spring Creek, Cathedral, West shore of Fallen Leaf Lake, Cascade Properties, Cascade Lake. Evacuations have been released North of Bayview Trailhead all others are still in place.
Evacuation Shelter: South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center at 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 El Dorado Sheriffs website link. http://pio.edso.org/
Road Closures: Highway 89 from Camp Richardson to Vikingsholm.
Update 10:06am - U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, CalFire, and Lake Valley Fire Department continue to work on the Emerald Fire.
Emerald Fire – Mandatory Evacuations in Effect
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. – The Emerald Fire was reported at 1:33 am on October 14, 2016. It has burned approx. 250 acres in timber on National Forest System and California State lands at Emerald Bay and Cascade Lake. Very strong winds ahead of the incoming storm system have been fanning the fire in different directions resulting in dangerous rates of spread. Rain has been falling in the area.
Unified command has been established with US Forest Service, CalFire, and Lake Valley Fire Department responding. 20 engines, 7 crews, 2 water tenders, and 2 dozers are on site with additional resources on order.
Mandatory evacuations are in effect for the Cascade area, Spring Creek Tract, and Cathedral area. Highway 89 is closed from West Way in S. Lake Tahoe to just south of Meeks Bay. An evacuation center has been set up at the S. Lake Tahoe Recreation and Swim Center, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd. The Red Cross is on site.
Fire information is available by calling 530-647-5218.
Update 7:45 AM: All evacuations remain in place except for areas North of Bayview Trailhead.
Mandatory evacuations have been issued for 500 residences. Voluntary evacuations have been issued for an additional 500 residences. We are requesting residents being evacuated travel north on Highway 89 towards Tahoe City.
An evacuation center has been established at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center located at 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.
http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1460
Information on Emerald Incident from Cal Fire on 10/14/16 at 4:46am: Unified command has been established with the USFS, Lake Valley Fire, and CAL FIRE. Fire is burning in the Cascade Lake/ Emerald Bay region of South Lake Tahoe. Very strong winds ahead of the incoming storm system are fanning the fire in different directions resulting in dangerous rates of spread. Currently beginning to rain over the fire.
For updates on social media:
Cal Fire Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRE/
Cal Fire Twitter page
https://twitter.com/CALFIREAEU