US declares emergency in California over Caldor wildfire

The Caldor Fire is one of more than 24 blazes crews are fighting in the state caused by hot, dry conditions.

US President Joe Biden has approved a declaration of emergency for the state of California and federal assistance to help firefighters combat the Caldor Fire – a sprawling blaze near the popular tourist destination of Lake Tahoe. The White House announced the moves late on Wednesday as crews fought back the wind-driven wildfire, managing to save South Lake Tahoe, the largest town along the rim of North America’s largest alpine lake. The blaze broke out on August 14 and has since charred more than 82,500 hectares (204,000 acres) of drought-parched timber.