COURTESY OF :

U.S. Forest Service

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

35 College Drive

South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

(530) 543-2600

http://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu 

Date:  September 25, 2014

Contact:  Public Affairs, Cheva Gabor (530) 543-2608 or Lisa Herron (530) 543-2815

Cascade Fire Update, September 25, 4:15 p.m.

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. –The Cascade Fire burning near Snow Lake on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe continues to hold at 30 acres. The wildfire is located entirely in the Desolation Wilderness and poses no threat to structures at this time. No evacuations and no road closures are in effect, and the Forest Service is working closely with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office to ensure they have the information they need to protect local communities.

This morning, engines from Lake Valley FPD and Calfire were dispatched to patrol the Spring Creek Tract and Cascade Properties in the unlikely event of fire spread.  This afternoon, precipitation moved into the area, reducing the risk of increased fire activity.  Intermittent patrols will continue.

While winds have prevented the use of aircraft on the fire today, Forest Service Hot Shots, CalFire, and other agency resources are on scene and working to contain the fire.

In addition to Bayview, Eagle Falls, Tallac, Glen Alpine and Stanford Camp trailheads, and Bayview Campground, the Forest Service has closed Inspiration Point and the Taylor Creek Sno-Park for public safety and to allow for suppression operations.  California State Parks has temporarily closed vehicular access to the Vikingsholm parking lot in the event it is needed for fire suppression equipment.

CalTrans and the California Highway Patrol have closed turnouts in the Highway 89 corridor from Spring Creek to the Vikingsholm parking lot to keep the highway traffic flowing to enable fire apparatus and crews ready access to the area.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but has been determined to be human-caused. This wildfire is not related to the King Fire currently burning west of Lake Tahoe.

With the King Fire still burning, the Forest Service is asking people to remember that fire restrictions are still in place in the Lake Tahoe Basin and to abide by those restrictions.  Fire restrictions mean that no open fires or campfires are allowed outside of campgrounds with an onsite host.  Campfires are never allowed in the Desolation Wilderness, only portable stoves are allowed with a valid campfire permit.

For more information about fire restrictions, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/FireRestrictions.

A wildfire above Cascade Lake on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe reported late yesterday afternoon continues to burn, and the size is now reported at between thirty and forty acres this afternoon.   The fire is burning in the Snow Lake area of the Desolation Wilderness near Emerald Bay.  This wildfire is not related to the King Fire currently burning on the West Slope of El Dorado and Placer Counties.

There is no threat to residences, infrastructure, or other structure at present.

The US Forest Service has closed Bayview, Eagle Falls, Tallac, Glen Alpine and Stanford Camp trailheads, as well as Bayview Campground, for public safety and to allow for suppression operations.

The California State Parks have closed Vinkingsholm in order to support firefighting efforts.

Forest Service, CalFire and other agency resources are responding. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but has been determined to be human-caused.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking that people traveling through the area refrain from pulling over to view the firefighting operations. Highway 89 is very narrow at that point and lacks sufficient shoulders, so pulling over creates a safety hazard and may hamper fire response.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services is aware of the potential for flooding based on the current weather conditions and is working closely with all associated Agencies involved with the King Fire to monitor areas of concern.

The County has contingency plans in place to deal with flooding issues based on previous incidents and will respond to any reports of flooding.

As of this time, there have been no reports from the field of flooding, mudslides, or debris flows in the fire area.