Residents help douse fire in Washoe Meadow State Park

By Kathryn Reed

What was supposed to be a casual afternoon walk through Washoe Meadow State Park turned into a firefighting scene for two South Shore residents.

Michael Lipkin saw smoke Friday afternoon and went to investigate with his walking companion Lynne Paulson. What they discovered was dry grass on fire in what Paulson said was in about an 8 x 8 foot square area.

Michael Lipkin monitors a wildfire in Washoe Meadow State Park on Oct. 15. Photos/Lynne Paulson

“It reminds me of a situation like Seneca Pond,” Paulson said in reference to how the 2007 Angora Fire started small before erupting into a devastating inferno.

A Forest Service firefighter puts out the fire.

Lipkin started to put out the fire, while Paulson ran up the hill about a quarter mile to houses on Normuk Street near the south end of the park to call 911. Before firefighters arrived some of the neighborhood kids helped with dousing the flames.

Lake Valley, CalFire and U.S. Forest Service officials arrived, with the Forest Service being the lead agency. No one was available Friday night to give details on how the fire may have started.

No one was around when Paulson and Lipkin arrived at the scene.