Calif. Caldor Fire doubles in size, destroys town of Grizzly Flats
In this long exposure photograph, the Caldor Fire burns through trees on Mormom Emigrant Trail east of Sly Park, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 3:53 PM PT – Wednesday, August 18, 2021
A California wildfire has doubled in size overnight, destroying a small community. What’s been named the Caldor Fire in Northern California exploded in size, consuming a forest community as firefighters continued to combat the blaze.
Reports said the fire was sparked on Saturday in El Dorado County about 80 miles east of Sacramento and started small, but was pushed by strong winds. However, the blaze exploded in size from Tuesday into Wednesday. It grew from around 22,000 acres to around 54,000 and prompted evacuations of nearby communities.
So far, there’s been zero containment.
The town of Grizzly Flats, which is home to around 1,200 people, was caught up in the flames as authorities said at least 50 homes in the area had burned. The fire also destroyed a local post office and the nearby Walt Tyler Elementary School.
A partially melted street sign stands after the Caldor Fire burned through Grizzly Flats, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Residents compared the damage in their town to the damage seen in the town of Paradise during the 2018 Camp Fire. Reports said two people were seriously injured in the fire and were airlifted to a nearby hospital.
Around 2,500 people still remain under evacuation orders and the fire is still threatening a further 6,000 structures. Firefighters said the blaze has continued to move quickly, leaving it difficult to keep up with it. Firefighters have reported they’re unable to use heavy machinery like bulldozers in the remote areas and have been relying on hand crews.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. In the meantime, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) has declared a state of emergency in El Dorado County on Tuesday with authorities closing the entire El Dorado National Forest in response.
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