Hazardous Air Quality Breaks Records as Caldor Fire Pushes Toward Lake Tahoe

A thick plume of smoke from the Caldor fire, as captured on a U.S. Forest Service wildfire monitoring camera shortly after 8 a.m. on Aug. 17, 2021. U.S. Forest Service via Alertwildfire Network/TNS

By Lila Seidman From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles—A spot fire that took hold on the eastern edge of the Caldor fire has pushed the growing blaze closer to South Lake Tahoe, belching smoke that has caused record-breaking air pollution and spurring anxiety the fire could reach resort communities.