Careless Smoker Blamed For Tahoe Blaze

A thoughtless smoker is blamed for starting a 670-acre forest fire between a California ski area and Nevada´s casino core at the south shore of Lake Tahoe.

The blaze, is 75 percent contained at a cost of more than $1 million dollars. The fire broke out Wednesday beneath the Heavenly gondola that carries skiers to the upper reaches of Heavenly ski area in the winter and sightseers in the summer.

Fire information officer Keith Parker says the cause was – as he puts it – “carelessly discarded smoking material.” Gusty winds fanned the flames northeastward into Nevada. Lighter winds yesterday and today along with higher humidity off the lake gave some 1,300 firefighters a break.

Fire officials hope for full containment Saturday and full control on Sunday.