Tahoe Wildfire

Newcastle firefighter Matt Christenson waters down trees and brush in a residential area where homes burned on Sunday in the Angora wildfire near South Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Thursday, June 28, 2007. A break in the weather helped firefighters gain control over the blaze. U.S. Forest Service officials say the fire is 55 percent contained but are expressing worries that blustery winds could change the situation.

U.S. Department of Forestry firefighters clear up hot spots left behind by the Angora fire Wednesday, June 27, 2007, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. An estimated 1,900 firefighters continue to battle the 3,000 acre wildfire near Lake Tahoe that has destroyed more than 200 structures.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, center, and Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons, look at a chimney that stands among the remains of a home Wednesday, June 27, 2007, that burned down on Sunday, June 24, in the Angora wildfire near South Lake Tahoe, Calif. An estimated 1,900 firefighters continue to battle the 3,000 acre wildfire that has destroyed more than 200 structures.

Fire Watcher — GETTY IMAGES/Justin Sullivan

A brown bear walks through a meadow after descending a tree near the Angora fire line Wednesday, June 27, 2007, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

A Smokey the Bear sign is seen as firefighters battle the Angora fire as it approached more homes Tuesday, June 26, 2007, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Firefighters continue to battle the 3,000 acre Angora wildfire near Lake Tahoe that has consumed over 200 structures.

Missy Springer cries as she sits in the remains of a home she rented that was completely destroyed by fire Tuesday, June 26, 2007, in Meyers, Calif. Firefighters continue to battle the 2,500-acre Angora wildfire near Lake Tahoe, now 40 per cent contained, which has consumed over 200 structures.

A woman who did not want to be identified surveys the remains her home that was completely destroyed by fire Tuesday, June 26, 2007, in Meyers, Calif. Firefighters continue to battle the 2,500-acre Angora wildfire near Lake Tahoe, now 40 percent contained, which has consumed over 200 structures.

Burnt garage doors stand Tuesday, June 26, 2007, among the remains of a home that was burned down Sunday in the Angora wildfire in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Firefighters say they are making progress against a massive wildfire that has destroyed nearly 300 homes and buildings near Lake Tahoe's south shore. Crews have about 40 percent of the blaze contained.

Forest Service firefighters set a backfire while fighting the Angora wildfire in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Monday, June 25, 2007. Firefighters continue to battle the 2,500 acre Angora wildfire near Lake Tahoe that has consumed over 200 structures. The fire is about 40 percent contained.

A firefighter mops up a hot spot behind the South Lake Tahoe high school Monday, June 25, 2007, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Firefighters continue to battle a 2,500 acre wildfire near Lake Tahoe that has consumed over 200 structures and is about 40 percent contained.

Trees and vegetation burn in the hills behind the South Lake Tahoe high school Monday, June 25, 2007, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Firefighters continue to battle a 2,500 acre wildfire near Lake Tahoe that has consumed over 200 structures and is about 40 percent contained.

A sign that once marked a garden is seen on the ground near a home destroyed by fire Monday, June 25, 2007, in Meyers, Calif. Firefighters continue to battle a 2,500 acre wildfire near Lake Tahoe that has consumed over 200 homes.

A videographer films trees and vegetation as it burns Monday, June 25, 2007, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Firefighters continue to battle the 2,500 acre Angora wildfire near Lake Tahoe that has consumed over 200 structures. The fire is about 40 percent contained.

A fire truck passes by a burned car in Meyers, Calif., near Lake Tahoe Monday, June 25, 2007. A wind-driven forest fire burned out of control near the popular resort of Lake Tahoe, destroying at least 200 structures and forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate their homes.

The sunrise is seen behind smoke in Meyers, Calif., Monday, June 25, 2007. A wind-driven forest fire burned out of control Monday near the popular resort of Lake Tahoe, destroying at least 200 structures and forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate their homes.

A charred swing is shown in the foreground of a home that was destroyed in Meyers, Calif., Monday, June 25, 2007, by a wildfire. A wind-driven forest fire burned out of control near the popular resort of Lake Tahoe, destroying at least 200 structures and forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate their homes.

A wind driven wildfire that destroyed hundreds of homes and other structures crests Gardner Mountain in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Sunday, June 24, 2007.

A home and a car burn near South Lake Tahoe, Calif., during a wildfire Sunday, June 24, 2007.

A home in the Tahoe Mountain subdivision near South Lake Tahoe, Calif., is destroyed by the Angora fire Sunday, June 24, 2007. The Angora fire, driven by high winds, has destroyed at least 200 homes and buildings and continues to burn out of control.

Firefighters work to save homes in the area of Meyers, near South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Sunday, June 24, 2007.