Traffic nightmare as Caldor Fire forced evacuation of South Lake Tahoe
Traffic was gridlocked throughout most of South Lake Tahoe Monday afternoon as the city rushes to evacuate ahead of the raging Caldor Fire.
By 4 p.m. Monday, the gridlock had resolved itself — with the last of the South Lake Tahoe evacuees and other vehicles exiting through Highway 50.
“It was a tense few moments I think for our citizens in south Lake Tahoe today,” South Lake Tahoe Police Chief David Stevenson said. “Three and a half hours of being stuck on Highway 50. I’m so appreciative that our citizens listened to the warning and the order and evacuated the city. Their response was fantastic, and we appreciate them. I’m glad to know they are safe.”
Mandatory evacuation orders were imposed late Monday morning ahead of a red flag warning for gusting winds that is expected to last until 11 p.m. Wednesday. With highways 50, 88 and 89 all closed below the Tahoe Basin, people are being funneled out of town toward the Nevada state line. Anyone wishing to head toward Sacramento or the Bay Area cannot do it directly via Highway 50; they must drive north to connect up with I-80 near Truckee.
“The traffic that occurred during the evacuation took our residents a long time to get out. But for us that was a good sign,” South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Clive Savacool said. “It meant that the citizens were listening to the evacuation orders.”
