Caldor fire bears down on Lake Tahoe as communities clouded in smoke

Evacuation orders issues in two counties as more than 14,000 firefighters battle wildfires up and down California

A wind-driven wildfire continued to advance towards Lake Tahoe, clouding the alpine vacation and tourist spot in a sickly yellow layer of smoke, as more than 14,000 firefighters battled wildfires up and down California.

As the weather heated up and winds shifted, the Caldor fire, the nation's top-priority for firefighting resources, grew to more than 213 sq miles (551 sq km) south-west of the lake but containment remained at 12%, officials said.