Quick response to two fires burning near Heavenly Gondola

6:50 p.m. update - The gondola is no longer threatened by the Montreal Fire. The fires are contained at this time and expected to be controlled soon. Wrap up of fire activity is expected at 9:00 p.m. but personnel will remain on the scene to watch overnight.

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There has been a strong multiple agency response to two fires that were burning near the Heavenly Gondola in South Lake Tahoe Tuesday afternoon. Called "The Montreal Fire," the first call went into 911 at 2:53 p.m. about the fire burning south of the Stateline Raleys near Montreal and Echo Roads. As of 5:00 p.m., that fire had burned less than an acre but caused a spot fire to start 1/4 mile away in Van Sickle Bi-State Park. That too is less than an acre at this time.

Heavenly Mountain Resort evacuated the guests from the top of the gondola and were moving to removing employees from the hill.

The US Forest Service is the lead agency on the fire since it burned on their land. South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and Police Department, Lake Valley Fire, Tahoe Douglas Fire, California Highway Patrol, El Dorado County Sheriff's, Cal Fire all had vehicles and personnel at the scene, along with two helicopters and air support.

Reports of a second spot fire were received by the USFS Press Office, but that has not been confirmed at this time.

The cause is under investigation.

Check out the attached video from the Tahoe Prosperity Center AlertTahoe fire camera. Another view is available here:

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