Forest Service: Wildfire in Desolation Wilderness started by illegal campfire
Submitted by editor on Thu, 04/02/2015 - 12:18pm
An illegal campfire touched off a wildfire Tuesday in the Desolation Wilderness at Granite Lake. Firefighters responded quickly, despite high winds, and were able to keep the fire from spreading, according to a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman.
The agency is asking the public to be aware of fire danger and campfire regulations. Illegal and unattended campfires cause over 90 percent of wildfires in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Fire managers are concerned about the impact from illegal campfires as we are in our fourth year of drought and forest conditions are already as dry as they would be in June.
“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.” said Fire Management Officer, Steve Burns. “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 here or stop by the Forest Supervisor’s office at 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
