Upper Truckee Rd. where the fire destroyed 254 homes, damaged 26 homes, numerous other structures valued at $141 million and prompted 3,000 evacuations, making it among the half dozen or so most destructive fires in U.S. history. No commercial structures were involved. For $15 million, 2,100 firefighters, 145 engines, and 9 air tankers battled the blaze, which consumed 3,100 acres (12.5 square kilometers) and filled the entire Tahoe basin with dense smoke for several days. High winds initially spread the fire and caused most of the property losses, but much calmer conditions on the ensuing three days allowed firefighters to contain it 70% with firebreak lines around it. No thunderstorms were in the area at the time, and it is assumed that the fire was human-caused. The ash from the fire that falls in Lake Tahoe is considered to be a problem for the clarity of Lake Tahoe, and Governor Schwarzenegger of California pledged to spend the necessary funds to restore the land values adequately to prevent erosion from depositing the ash on the ground into the lake and further damaging it. Nearby peaks and mountains Echo Peak 8,895 ft (2,711.2 m) Angora Peak 8,588 ft (2,617.6 m) Mount Tallac 9,735 ft (2,967 m) Ralston Peak 9,235 ft (2,814.8 m) Pyramid Peak 9,985 ft (3,043.4 m) See also Emerald Bay State Park List of lakes in California References External links Angora Lakes plant list Angora Fire Restoration Project (US Forest Service) Lakes of the Sierra Nevada (United States) Lakes of El Dorado County, California Lake Tahoe Tahoe National Forest Ski areas and resorts in California Lakes of Northern California Lakes of California