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Angora Fire Update for June 27, 2007

Jun 27, 2007, News Report

Found in: Public Safety / Justice / Homeland Security

The Angora fire has burned 3,100 acres just west of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County. The fire has destroyed 264 residences and threatens 950 residences and 350 commercial structures and a local high school. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Heavy smoke is present throughout the southern portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin.  A health advisory has been issued by El Dorado County for persons sensitive to the smoke.  These smoky conditions are likely to remain for a number of days until the fire is fully suppressed. 

Evacuations/Shelter:                         

  • There are mandatory evacuations for approximately 2,000 residences.
  • Potential exists for additional spot fires in the Gardner Mountain area today. 
  • Due to a flare up in the fire inside the fire line Tuesday afternoon near the northwest boundary of the City of South Lake Tahoe there was a mandatory evacuation of the Gardner Mountain area, involving about 2500 individuals.  No new structures in this area have burned.  The fire did not succeed in crossing Hwy 89 other than spot fires.
  • An American Red Cross shelter has been established at the South Lake Tahoe City Recreation Center, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.
  • ANGORA FIRE HOME HOTLINE - All evacuated residents are asked to go to Lake Tahoe Community College to help assess the homes. If you have a home in the evacuated area and are out of town, please call               (530) 541-4660       , extension 336.
  • An American Red Cross shelter has been established at the South Lake Tahoe City Recreation Center, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd. 
  • An additional 123 individuals have reportedly used local hotels for shelter.  Local hotels will be offered free of charge to fire victims until Friday, June 22nd.
  • Animal care is not an issue at this time.  County animal control along with Noah's Wish are operating an animal care facility outside the shelter. Additional offers of assistance are being forwarded to the County.  Assistance is being provided by Animal Control from surrounding counties as well.
  • Evacuees from the initial evacuation from undamaged homes where utilities are available were allowed to return home.
  • USFS announced another public briefing on Thursday at 8:00p.m. at the Tahoe Middle School.  The meeting is expected to be in the same format as the previous meeting held in the school cafeteria on Monday night.

Road Closures:

  • Highway 50 is open in both directions.  The Caltrans website indicates Highway 89 is closed from the Junction of US 50 in South Lake Tahoe to Emerald Bay. 

Emergency Operations Center Activations:

  • The El Dorado County Office of Emergency Services has activated its alternate Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in South Lake Tahoe (SLT) at the SLT Airport.
  • The OES Inland Region Emergency Operations Center and State Operations Center are both activated at duty officer status and are being supported by staff assigned to the incident in South Lake Tahoe from OES' Fire and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Recovery, and Inland Region branches. 

Emergency Proclamations:

  • On June 24, the El Dorado County OES declared a local emergency and has requested a State of Emergency. 
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the Angora Fire on June 25, 2007. 
  • A Proclamation of a State of Emergency for El Dorado County was issued on June 25th at 1100 hours.  

Recovery Operations:

  • El Dorado County has established a Local Assistance Center at Lake Tahoe Community College, 1 College Place.  It opened this morning and will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm.  The following agencies will send staff to the LAC:  OES, Community Services and Development (local community action agency), Employment Development Department, Contractors State Licensing Board, Insurance Commissioner, Department of Health Services Office of Vital Records, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

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