South Lake Tahoe residents begin cautious return as nearly half-contained Caldor Fire burns nearby

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. — On Monday morning, enough smoke still lingered here to irritate the eyes if one stayed outside long enough, and it smelled like the acrid end of a burning incense stick.

But that didn’t matter to those among the steady trickle of cars that made their way across the Nevada line, crossing Lincoln Highway as it turned into Lake Tahoe Road. The residents were glad to be returning to their homes after being forced to evacuate because of the Caldor Fire.