It was touch and go for a while, but Kirkwood Mountain Resort, CA, confirmed yesterday that the resort has escaped unscathed from the Caldor Fire that affected the Tahoe region in early September.
After burning through Sierra-at-Tahoe resort, both Kirkwood and Heavenly were in the fire’s path. Kirkwood announced yesterday that they received no “direct fire damage to critical infrastructure” and intended to open as planned on December 3rd.
WINTER UPDATE: We’re happy to share that in recent days, significant progress has been made on the Caldor Fire. The fire is now 76% contained, and the threat has significantly lifted at Kirkwood with the fire line to the north moved to a ‘contained status.’ The mountain and trail access remain closed under the U.S. Forest Service closure in effect until at least Sept. 30. However, as the weather begins to cool, we’re reminded that winter days are just around the corner.
We are grateful to share we have not found any direct fire damage to critical infrastructure at Kirkwood at this time. Thanks to the hard work and tremendous efforts of those on the ground, the resort’s winter downhill trails and features, resort lodges, equipment, and chairlifts all remain intact. We expect to open for the upcoming winter season on our scheduled date of Friday, Dec. 3, should snow conditions permit. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the resort! Also, as soon as access is allowed, we’ll conduct inspections of the area north of Highway 88 within the cross-country trail network and will share more information on that location in the coming weeks.
While we are grateful, we recognize the impacts of the Caldor Fire and send our thoughts to the many areas and neighborhoods that have been impacted and all of those who have been affected during this challenging time. We stand united as one mountain community.
With repopulation having occurred in our communities, our number one priority continues to be the safety and wellbeing of our employees. In the past few weeks, more than $400,000 in direct grants from the EpicPromise Employee Foundation has supported our employees displaced by the Caldor Fire. We stand in solidarity with our employees and will continue to provide resources for our teams in the months ahead.
We share our immense gratitude and support with the courageous first responders and many teams who have contributed to protecting our beloved mountain communities during the last few weeks and have kept us all safe. The Kirkwood Family is sincerely appreciative of these heroes and their countless brave acts that helped to protect our home. Thank you.
The Caldor Fire is currently 221,774-acres (+0 acres past 24 hrs) and is 76% contained (no change past 24 hrs). The Caldor Fire started at approximately 6:45 pm on August 14, 2021.
Caples Creek Controlled Burn:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD670057
That part of the forest hadn’t seen fire since 1908, because of humans, not global warming.
Funny how Caples Creek area didn’t burn again during the Caldor fire…………. WHOAAA BROS
If you keep pointing the finger at global warming we are going to keep having monstrous fires.
The real cause is lack of controlled burns. Stupid liberal sheeple watching too much CNN.
Did anyone else notice how the large hole in the fire perimeter just North of Kirkwood was a controlled burn from 2019?
AKA proactive Forest Management?
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/CAENF/2021-08-15-0910-Caldor-Fire/picts/2021_09_29-08.57.38.259-CDT.jpeg
Just an ignorant citizen reading maps, watching fires and pointing out facts.
PS fire naturally occurs every 10-15 years in the Sierras. Humans have been unnaturally putting them out for the last 100 years and many parts of the Forest haven’t seen fire for 100 years. That’s why we are having such huge ripping fires.
Yes global warming and droughts have an impact. What has a greater impact is 100 years of unnatural fuel build up.