USFS working on fire at Dicks Lake
An abandoned illegal campfire that flared up last week at Dicks Lake in Desolation Wilderness is expected to be extinguished Sunday.
The U.S. Forest Service authorized bucket drops and a crew hiked in with a pump.
This fire would not have been visible from the lake.
However, there were reports on Sept. 20 from people in Kings Beach that they could see flames from the King Fire.
“This was checked out by aircraft. Apparently it was a trick of the light – sunlight refraction through the heavy smoke,” Cheva Gabor, spokeswoman for the USFS, told Lake Tahoe News.
The fire remains a considerable distance from the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit boundary. There is no immediate threat to the basin and no evacuation orders at the current time.
Smoke, though, continues to be an issue throughout the basin.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
I reported this fire to the USFS in SLT on Wed., 9/17 after abandoning my plans for making camp at Fontanillis and Dick’s Lakes for which I had a DW Permit for. The illegal campfire that was started on the west end of the lake would have traveled up to Dick’s Pass and taken out one of three escape routes if not extinguished. I opted for backtracking over Maggie’s Peaks and informed the USFS when I had a cell signal. Bummed they waited so long to heed the call, but their resources have been stretched to the limits with the King Fire. Happy to hear they spared the DW from disaster. Thank you men and women of the USFS. Wilderness backpackers always appreciate your hard work in preserving what we love most.
On a recent backpack trip to Dardanelles, we saw no less than 3 illegal campfires. We need more enforcement and/or education, etc. to get people informed. Yes, I did say something and was assured emphatically they had a permit issued by the Forest Service.
Aside from arsonists I think that many people/campers who light illegal campfires are educated and informed as to their actions being illegal, are aware of the associated dangers but think that their fire won’t cause any kind of problem, or else they just don’t care what happens.
Living in a forested area can be nerve-wracking at times. I extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation to all firefighters everywhere.
Spouse – 4-mer-usmc