Washoe fire fully contained (with video)
11:30 a.m. Sunday: Firefighters have fully contained a 14-acre blaze on Lake Tahoe’s west shore that destroyed five homes and forced evacuations of some residents and tourists, officials said.
No injuries were reported. The wind-whipped Tahoe fire began near the resort community of Sunnyside just south of Tahoe City, but never grew larger than 12 to 14 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the North Tahoe Fire Protection District.
Besides the homes, one outbuilding was also destroyed.
A high wind warning for the Lake Tahoe basin is in effect for today.
Numerous resources remain on scene with the objective of maintaining the current fire containment lines, said Rex Norman, Forest Service spokesman.
Access to the Tahoe Woods neighborhood remained closed as of this morning’s
briefing, due to hazards such as downed power lines and protection of
property.
Forest Service spokeswoman Barbara Rebiskie said the fire started at one home and quickly spread to four others. The fire slowed Saturday evening, allowing most of the people who were evacuated to return.
The house where the fire started was fully engulfed when crews arrived shortly after 1:30 p.m. Flames were being fanned by wind gusts of up to 30 mph.
