Henry Herrera, Cal Fire spokesperson, described the many conditions that fuel the Caldor Fire's flames as it continues to burn across Sierra Nevada mountains and threaten South Lake Tahoe.
Herrera stated that "Everything has lined-up, perfect recipe for major fire like this," during Wednesday's interview on CNBC's The News with Shepard Smith.
"The topography is very steep and very rugged, so the winds have been strong... We've been experiencing gusts up to 35,40 miles per hour at the top of the Ridge Tops. The fire is spreading quickly because the winds align perfectly with the canyons.
As the fire moves towards the southern tip of Lake Tahoe, firefighters are trying to control it. Herrera has traveled back and forth between the Caldor Fire's frontlines, explaining other factors that contributed to the fire. These include embers that ignite dry vegetation miles before the fire, which in turn creates small "spot fires", which then grow and connect to it.
Caldor Fire engulfed more than 200,000 acres. This is more than Memphis' entire population. Tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate. Herrera informed Shepard Smith that firefighters are trying to save their homes and communities. They are currently focusing on the northeastern end of the fire, which is around Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, and other areas.
Herrera stated, "We have been building containment line to prevent the fire from reaching those areas." "We're building contingency lines to protect communities in case the fire breaks through those containment lines. So far, the fire has been kept away from these areas."
