Updated Dec. 22 9:35pm: Both fires have been extinguished.

By Kathryn Reed

Two fires are burning this morning in the Eldorado National Forest. The smaller of the two is near Kyburz and is visible as people drive along Highway 50. The other is in the Georgetown Ranger District near Nevada Point Ridge.

Winds knocked down power lines, igniting the fire in the American River Canyon, according to Frank Mosbacher, spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service.

“This is the time of year when wind would have an influence on fire, but fuels are moist and temperatures are low,” Mosbacher told Lake Tahoe News at 10:15am Dec. 22. “There are a lot of things working in the favor of firefighters. We don’t anticipate it getting much bigger.”

The fire had burned a little more than a quarter-acre, staying on the ground, and was not expected to get much bigger before firefighters put it out. A delay in dousing all the flames was because crews had to wait for PG&E to cut power to the fallen lines.

The California Highway Patrol evacuated one resident in the area before firefighters arrived. He has since been allowed to return.

Firefighters were also working a 9-acre blaze on the West Slope near Nevada Point Ridge.