Two buildings are claimed in resort fire

A fire that claimed at least two buildings at the Carson River Resort spread to the hills behind the resort on Saturday afternoon.

Alpine County, East Fork and U.S. Forest Service firefighters were battling a 50-acre wildland blaze that was reportedly set by a burning motorhome at the resort, located along Highway 89 two miles southeast of Markleeville.

The fire was first reported at 3:24 p.m.

A helicopter and a fire bomber were also working on the fire, which sent a smoke plume into the air that was visible from Carson Valley.

Highway 89 over Monitor Pass was closed at Highway 395 and at just south of the resort.

A sign the wildland fire was brought to heal, CHP officials reported that they were allowing one-way alternate traffic past the resort at 6 p.m. The resort was evacuated as a result of the fire.

The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch reported seven brush trucks, two hand crews, two helicopters and four air tankers were working on the fire.

As of 6 p.m. Saturday, there was no indication of what might have started the structure fires.

The resort was threatened by last summer’s Washington Fire.