Fast response snuffs out wildfire on the South Shore

Lightning sparked a small wildfire that burned a quarter acre of forest near Lake Tahoe Community College on Friday afternoon.

The lightning strike that started the fire was one of several in the region on Friday.

About 3:40 p.m., firefighters responded to several reports of smoke and flames in the area of Al Tahoe Boulevard and Pioneer Trail.

Firefighters from South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, Lake Valley Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service responded to the fire, which was on city property.

The fire burned in sage brush and was spreading at a moderate rate before firefighters arrived, said South Lake Tahoe Division Chief Brad Piazzo.

About 4:15 p.m., South Lake Tahoe Fire Marshal Ray Zachau said the fire would be out in a matter of minutes.

"The quick response of the fire units contributed to the successful outcome," Piazzo said afterward, noting that fire crews were able to get water on the fire quickly with the use of Lake Valley's water tender.

Friday's wildfire was the first significant fire where two wildland engines recently acquired by the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department saw use, Zachau said.

"When you can drive right up and put water on it, it makes a huge difference," Zachau said.

Fuels reduction work in the area also played a part in keeping the fire on the ground, Zachau said, noting the tree the lighting hit was burned from top to bottom.

Piazzo said law enforcement was prepared to begin evacuations of the Pioneer Village neighborhood near the fire, but that turned out not to be necessary.

"Fortunately, the winds were calm and the fire was contained to that quarter-acre," Piazzo said.

The lightning strike near the college was one of at least two instances on Friday where lighting struck ground at the South Shore, Zachau said. The other confirmed strike was near the Heavenly Mountain Resort gondola, but it didn't ignite, Zachau said.