USFS quick to contain fire in Desolation Wilderness

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish a blaze started by an illegal campfire at Granite Lake in Desolation Wilderness.

Despite the high winds on March 31, the fire did not spread.

Illegal and unattended campfires cause more 90 percent of wildfires in the Lake Tahoe Basin, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

“While we realize the warm weather, combined with lack of snow has given folks early access to recreation areas, people need to remember that campfires are only allowed in designated campgrounds and are not allowed on National Forest beaches or in the Desolation Wilderness,” Fire Management Officer Steve Burns said in a statement. “We need the public to be mindful of the current fire danger and help prevent human-caused wildfires by not building illegal campfires.”

For information on campfire safety, go online.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report