PHOTOS: Caldor Fire Rages Through South Lake Tahoe

CALIFORNIA — California residents of South Lake Tahoe were forced to evacuate their homes earlier this week as the raging flames of the Caldor Fire threatened their communities. The destruction was said to be so bad that Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak declared a state of emergency, prompting those living near the state border to be prepared to flee if need be.

Firefighters arrived to the area just after dark Monday, AP News reported, with many being dispatched to protect homes in the Christmas Valley area, about 10 miles from the city of South Lake Tahoe. The smoke was so thick that air firefighting operations were not able to fully function as expected last week.

READ MORE: CA Fires 2021: Thousands Evacuate In NorCal; 1.8M Acres Burned

The National Weather Service warned of critical fire weather conditions through tomorrow, Sept. 1, 2021, due to strong gusts, very low humidity and extremely dry fuel.

ALSO SEE: California's National Forests To Close Ahead Of Labor Day Weekend

See the gut-wrenching photos below, chronicling the Caldor Fire's destruction to Lake Tahoe, California, over the last three days:

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021

The Caldor Fire consumes trees in South Lake Tahoe, California.

A woman crosses Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe, California, which has been evacuated due to the Caldor Fire's approach.

A chimney stands on a property destroyed by the Caldor Fire near South Lake Tahoe, California.

Sierra Fowzer, right, and Skylor Klitsch, a couple who chose not to evacuate, look at their phone for updates on the Caldor Fire in South Lake Tahoe. "This is our home. That is a special reason. This is where we live," said Fowzer.

National Guardsmen staff a checkpoint in South Lake Tahoe, California, as the Caldor Fire approaches.

Monday, Aug. 30, 2021

Seen in a long camera exposure, the Caldor Fire burns at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, California. The main buildings at the ski slope's base survived as the main fire front passed.

Seen in a long camera exposure, a snowmaking machine blasts water as the Caldor Fire burns at Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, California. The main buildings at the ski slope's base survived as the main fire front passed.

With the Caldor Fire approaching, traffic on Highway 50 stands still as South Lake Tahoe, California, as residents try to evacuate.

With the Caldor Fire approaching, Dawn Svymbersky stands in the middle of Highway 50 as evacuee traffic stands still in South Lake Tahoe, California.

With the Caldor Fire approaching, Jim Mrazek stands outside his vehicle on Highway 50 as evacuee traffic stands still in South Lake Tahoe, California.

Mrazek, who was stopped in that spot for more than an hour, said he was considering taking his boat into the lake instead of trying to drive out.

Seen from South Lake Tahoe, California, flames from the Caldor Fire consume a home.

Firefighters walk into the woods to monitor the Caldor Fire burning near South Lake Tahoe, California.

The Caldor Fire consumes trees near South Lake Tahoe, California, as the winds returned this week, the Caldor Fire roared over the Sierra crest and bore down on the southern end of Lake Tahoe.

Two firefighters create a fuel break as the Caldor Fire burns near homes in South Lake Tahoe, California.

As the winds returned this week, the Caldor Fire roared over the Sierra crest and bore down on the southern end of Lake Tahoe.

Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021

Seen in a long camera exposure, the Caldor Fire burns on in Eldorado National Forest, California.

Seen in a long camera exposure, chimneys stand at residences leveled by the Caldor Fire along Highway 50 in Eldorado National Forest, California.

Seen in a long camera exposure, the Caldor Fire burns as a chair lift sits at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort in Eldorado National Forest, California.

The main buildings at the ski slope's base survived as the main fire front passed.

Another long exposure photograph showing the Caldor Fire raging on at Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort in Eldorado National Forest, California.

The Associated Press contributed to this post.