The Caldor Fire, now over 177,000 acres, triggers evacuation warnings near Lake Tahoe
CBSN
Fire officials have issued evacuation orders and warnings around Lake Tahoe Basin as the massive Caldor Fire continues to rage in Northern California, burning more than 177,000 acres and forcing one hospital there to begin evacuating patients.
"Today has been a rough day. There's no bones about it," Jeff Marsolais, the supervisor of El Dorado National Forest, told reporters Sunday. "I think the team is doing an excellent job of trying to stay in front of a very evolving fire. Today, it let loose." The Caldor Fire, which is 14% contained, has destroyed more than 470 structures and damaged 39 others, according to CalFire. More than 3,500 firefighters are working to control the blaze, which left five people injured.Ashley White received her earliest combat action badge from the United States Army soon after the first lieutenant arrived in Afghanistan. The silver military award, recognizing soldiers who've been personally engaged by an attacker during conflict, was considered an achievement in and of itself as well as an affirming rite of passage for the newly deployed. White had earned it for using her own body to shield a group of civilian women and children from gunfire that broke out in the midst of her third mission in Kandahar province. All of them survived. She never mentioned the badge to anyone in her battalion.