The Associated Press
WOODFORDS, Calif. — Overnight temperatures near freezing helped chill a wildland fire in the eastern Sierra that forced the evacuation of campgrounds and mountain resorts near the Nevada-California line, officials said Monday.
The Burnside fire broke out around 4 p.m. Sunday in scenic Hope Valley south of Lake Tahoe, near the junction of highways 88 and 89.
The cause is under investigation.
Fueled by gusty wind, the fire quickly spread through heavy timber and brush.
But overnight temperatures in the 30s and calmer wind helped slow the flames, said fire spokesman Mark Struble.
“We had a very favorable wind shift that blew the fire back on itself,” he said.
Firefighters also reported some of their smaller water hoses froze because of the plunging temperature.
The fire was estimated at 150 acres and 30 percent contained early Monday, Struble said.
He added the fire managers planned to reevaluate evacuation orders for some residences, campgrounds and mountain resorts.