CALIFORNIA | SIERRA NEVADA

Officials warn of health threat from South Lake Tahoe fire

By Jane Engle, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
09:40 AM PDT, June 28, 2007

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South Lake Tahoe fire closes roads and campgrounds

Smoke continued to pose a heath threat today in the South Lake Tahoe region, officials said, as firefighters worked to contain a wildfire that has destroyed 229 homes and routed 3,500 people.

Some roads remained closed today, and as of today, at least one state park was shut down.

With strong winds predicted in Northern California this afternoon, firefighters remained cautious.

An advisory, issued by El Dorado County, remained in effect for a fourth day, warning of "ongoing risks to health due to smoke" in the South Lake Tahoe area. It recommended that outdoor gatherings and sports events be canceled and that some "non-essential businesses" suspend operations.

For a recorded update on the smoke advisory, call (530) 621-6140.

As of this morning, California Highway 89 was closed from its junction with U.S. Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe to Emerald Bay, Caltrans said today on its website.

Reportedly, a portion of California Highway 50 also was affected, although Caltrans said it was open. For road updates, call (800) 427-7623 or visit www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo.

Because of road closures, Emerald Bay State Park, south of Tahoe City, was closed. Campers were being moved to D.L. Bliss and Sugar Pine Point campgrounds, which remained open.

Area travelers may encounter heavy smoke and limited visibility, said Sheryl Watson, a spokeswoman for California State Parks.

Emerald Bay campers who cancel their reservations by calling ReserveAmerica, at (800) 695-2269, will get full refunds, Watson said. For more information, visit www.parks.ca.gov and search parks under the keyword "Tahoe."

On national lands, in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Fallen Leaf campground on Fallen Leaf Lake, south of Lake Tahoe, was evacuated, said Todd Chaponot, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service.

On the lake's west end, Camp Richardson was evacuated, he added.

For updates, visit the interagency website, www.inciweb.org/forest/17 (Angora Wildland Fire), or call (530) 543-2600 and choose No. 6 on the recorded menu.