South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
A massive wildfire near Lake Tahoe destroyed 276 homes this week, and firefighters say the blaze still threatens more than 800 others. The fire roared out of control over the weekend, stoked by dry conditions and 40-mph winds and feeding on the trees and undergrowth around the lake, a major tourist destination. “The flames were above the trees,” said local student Chase Grant. “It was just plain scary.” Fire officials, who say overdevelopment around the lake made the devastation inevitable, estimate the fire has burned 2,500 acres.
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