Lake Tahoe residents relieved homes spared from wildfire

By SAM METZ and AMY TAXIN
AP/Report for America

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) — People who fled South Lake Tahoe under threat of a wildfire have been trickling back home, but many shops remained dark Monday and the resort town’s normally bustling streets remained quiet. Evacuation orders were downgraded Sunday to warnings for the town on the California-Nevada state line. Returning residents said they were relieved to see the scenic resort town remains intact. Some 22,000 people were forced to flee last week as the Caldor Fire approached. Authorities say easing winds reduced the fire’s spread in recent days but warned that Tahoe residents aren’t out of the woods yet. Authorities say people with health problems should stay away because of smoky air.