jun21 Golfer fire

A golfer started a forest fire after igniting dry grass with sparks from his club.

 

The blaze destroyed 15-20 acres northeast of the golf course at Wildcreek in California.

 

“He was totally honest about it,” Reno fire chief Curtis Johnson said, adding he didn’t know if the golfer turned in the alarm.

 

Fire engines with 45-50 people swarmed the area and were mopping up about 8:30 p.m. A 12-person crew from the Sierra Front Forest Service was at the fire site until at least midnight.

 

“We had a lot here,” Johnson said. “We use a task force response now, three brush engines and three structure enginess and a water tender. We’ve changed tactics this year because of the dangerous conditions.”

 

No structures were threatened but engines were available for protection. The fire did not damage the course.