Firefighters battling the Caldor Fire are using ski lifts to their advantage

The Caldor Fire has been active for 16 days in El Dorado County, California. Photo: U.S. Forest Service

KIRKWOOD, Calif. — Fire crews are using the ski lifts at Kirkwood Mountain Resort to their advantage as they fight the ever-growing Caldor Fire in northern California.

“We are working closely with Cal Fire, the United States Forest Service fire team, the Kirkwood Fire Department, and other local organizations who have been assisting us with structure preparation and protection,” a spokesperson from Vail Resorts, which owns Kirkwood, told SFGATE. “We are in contact with Vail Resorts employees who are impacted or may be impacted by evacuation orders to provide our support and share available resources.”

As of Monday night, August 31, the Caldor Fire is 186,568 acres and 15 percent contained.

Due to high wind activity, the fire grew measurably over the weekend towards South Lake Tahoe. 664 structures have been destroyed, with 39 damaged.