Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal A home in the Tahoe Mountain subdivision near South Lake Tahoe, Ca., is destroyed by the Angora fire this afternoon. High winds whipped the 500-acre fire, destroying an estimated 50 homes. The fire remains out of control and continues to threaten more than 500 homes.
The Angora fire is threatening South Tahoe High School and some 500 homes. The fire has already burned more than 165 homes and 750 acres and is still burning out of control toward the city of South Lake Tahoe.
Officials say the blaze is less than 5 percent contained. A state of emergency has been issued for El Dorado County.
At last report, the fire was one-quarter mile from South Tahoe High School and fire crews were scrambling to stop spot fires in that neighborhood.
As of 10:45 p.m. the Angora fire continues to burn out of control, moving in a northerly direction toward the city limits of South Lake Tahoe, according to the U.S. Forest Service and the Camino Interagency Command Center.
"This is the worst fire I can recall," Lovell said. "It just shows you the power of this. It is heartbreaking. It is absolutely heartbreaking. We've got Lake Valley firefighters who are fighting the fire and who have lost their own homes."
County Supervisor Norma Santiago, who represents the Tahoe District 5, said El Dorado County has issued a proclamation of emergency which is the first step toward getting a proclamation from the governor. A state proclamation would get in motion state funding for cleanup.
No injuries have been reported, but two fire trucks have been burned. As of 8 p.m. 350 firefighters were battling the blaze that started at 2 p.m. today, more crews have been requested.
Those seeking information about family and friends who may have been evacuated can call 1 (530) 542-6056.
More than 100 fire evacuees are seeking shelter at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd. or at South Tahoe Middle School, 2490 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
Evacuees with small animals can call the Pet Network at 1 (775) 720-3773 to shelter animals.
Highway 89 is closed at State Route 88, Highway 50 is close west of Lake Tahoe at Pollock Pines. Nonresidents are advised to avoid the Lake Tahoe Basin if at all possible.
The burned homes are in the Mule Deer Road, Mount Raineer, Clear View and Lake Tahoe Boulevard areas, said public information officer Jackie Faike.
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office has been evacuated to the Elks Lodge, 1635 Elks Club Drive.
The Gardner Mountain area west of the Y remains under mandatory evacuation orders as of 9 p.m.
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