The chilling fire season on the west coast of the United States has put in jaque one of the jewels of the Crown of the Californian geography: Lake Tahoe.
Neither the arsenal of resources destined to combat fire at the holiday place of Silicon Valley cream and cream has prevented thousands of houses – some valued in millions of dollars – and a legion of hotels are at risk of losing.
The hope of residents in the area, located east of San Francisco and sharing lake with the state of Nevada, was that the flames will not be able to surpass the natural granite barrier of the Sierra Nevada, but the destructive strength of the shell – as Han
Baptized this fire – has continued with its devastating step.
On Tuesday, the authorities had already proceeded to evacuate the most populated city of the lake, South Lake Tahoe.
Thousands of residents and tourists had to leave precipitously at the advance of the flames, in a fire that has already calcined more than 825 square kilometers since August 14 and that is only 20% contained.
It is the second time that a fire begins in the west part of the Sierra Nevada and crosses up to the east.
The first time has also been produced this summer after the passage of the Dixie Fire, still active and the second most important in the history of California, according to the authorities.
It has already burned 3,500 square kilometers, with only 25% of the controlled fire.
The good news is that they have not been reported dead compared to the 85 people who lost their lives at the November 2018 Camp Fire.
Dave Launcher, spokesman for the fire department and boss in the department of Sacramento, explained that the problem is that the fire is entering “from several guns and in all possible directions”.
Although authorities encrypt in 27,000 firefighters destined to the area, plus hundreds of members of the National Guard and 25 helicopters, many experts believe that there is little to be done.
Just focus on saving some houses and hotels while the fire follows its course.
It is advancing thanks to the combination of spurred factors for climate change: temperatures breaking records, a drought of great magnitude and dry forests, with millions of dead trees waiting for burning, as an immense cerrilla box.
Only in California is calculated that they are 150 million.
To all that we have to add the wind and the complicated terrain conditions around Lake Tahoe, a natural paradise in both summer and in winter, known as one of the most attractive Ski stations in the United States for its magnificent views and the offer of
Restaurants and hotels.
It is not surprising that the average value of the houses in South Lake Tahoe is $ 646,000, with a revaluation of 45% in just one year.
Many may not survive.
At the moment, firefighters have managed to save houses in Meyers and and the Christmas Valley, concentrated around the perimeter of Highway 50 waiting for meteorological conditions, which is not expected to happen until tomorrow Thursday.
The lack of resources has led some citizens to try to save their cabins, especially in areas where there is no road access.
And it is not the only focus of concern at the state level.
In total there are 7 active fires in California, with the baptized as a monumental sweeping an important part of the Trinity National Forest.
Another infernal fire season.
