Quick response keeps Echo Summit fire contained to small area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An illegal and abandoned campfire near the Pacific Crest Trail ignited a fire on Wednesday evening.

Crews from USFS, Lake Valley Fire and Calfire were called to the 5:20 p.m. fire on September 19. They staged at the Echo Summit Caltrans maintenance yard on Highway 50, and when determined to be on Forest Service land, the Engine 42 crew from USFS hiked into the fire location and the others were on call in case needed.

The fire started at the location of an illegal campfire about 50 feet off the trail and spread to a large Jeffrey Pine. The fire was contained to a space 20 feet by 20 feet due to the quick response and helicopter drops of water.

A CH-47D Chinook Helicopter is based at the Lake Tahoe Airport, on contract with USFS Region 5 and will stay in South Lake Tahoe until needed elsewhere. The Chinook can draw out of any water, rivers, streams or lakes, as long as they have clearance above.

The fire was spotted by someone in the Echo Summit cabins who then called it in.

"We are fortunate someone reported right way and caught it before it spread," said Lisa Heron of the USFS-Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). There was also no wind, which helped keep it from spreading.

Even though this fire was not in an old rock fire ring, fire officials say they are unofficial and illegal at all times in the forest, even if there when a camper arrives. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is working with the LTBMU to break apart these old fire rings when found. Anyone else can do so as well if they come across them as long as there are no embers in the ring.

Illegal fires are still the #1 cause of fires in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The only place campfires are allowed at this time are in metal campground fire rings in a hosted campground. When fire restrictions are not in place there are only three spots in the backcountry with the metal rings - Watson Lake, Luther Pass and Blackwood Canyon campgrounds.

"Just because it is cooler, it doesn't mean we're out of fire danger," said Heron. "Please use caution."

The Emerald Fire in 2016 occurred in October on a day with cool temps and rain.

* This story was updated when new information was provided about the rock fire rings.