CALIFORNIA | SIERRA NEVADA | WILDFIRES
Lake Tahoe region ready for tourists again
The Lake Tahoe area began returning to normal today as firefighters made progress in taming a devastating wildfire that has destroyed 3,100 acres and 229 homes. But the blaze put a damper on some Fourth of July plans.
The fire was 70% contained as of late Thursday after predicted high winds failed to develop, officials said. Some campgrounds reopened.
California Highway 89, which had been closed from its junction with U.S. Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe to Emerald Bay, was reopened late Thursday. For road updates, visit www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo or call (800) 427-7623.
Emerald Bay State Park, south of Tahoe City, reopened for day use and was expected to begin accepting campers at 10 a.m. today, said Sheryl Watson, spokeswoman for California State Parks.
On national lands, Camp Richardson on the lake's west end and Fallen Leaf campground on Fallen Leaf Lake, south of Lake Tahoe, were still closed, said Todd Chaponot, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. But if good weather continues, Chaponot added, officials hope to reopen both sites Saturday.
Despite their gains, fire officials cautioned that the battle was not over, especially if winds pick up later today.
Citing the risk, Squaw Valley canceled its July 3 fireworks display and its Western Cowboy Campout scheduled for Saturday. In lieu of the display, a laser light show will be offered, and the Squaw Valley Business Assn. will donate the fireworks budget to relief efforts.
But South Lake Tahoe still plans to mount its "Lights on the Lake" fireworks spectacular on the Fourth, said Patrick Kaler, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, www.bluelaketahoe.com.
He said today that fire officials had approved plans for the fireworks, which will be launched from a barge on the lake.
Kaler said South Lake Tahoe was open for tourist business.
"None of our hotels or attractions have been affected by [the fire], except for the closure of Highway 89," one of the routes into the resort city, he said. Most of the affected areas are residential.
Hotels have received "some cancellations" for this weekend and the Fourth of July, Kaler said.
Noting that about 80% of the area's economy is tourism-based, he said, "We're hoping people will see this as an opportunity to help our community" by visiting over the holiday.
Emerald Bay campers who canceled reservations by calling ReserveAmerica at (800) 695-2269, were getting refunds, Watson said. For more information, visit www.parks.ca.gov and search parks under the keyword "Tahoe."
For general updates on the fire situation, visit the interagency website www.inciweb.org/forest/17 (Angora Wildland Fire), or call (530) 543-2600 and choose Option 6 on the recorded menu.
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