Ryan Salm, Sierra SunFirefighters work to contain the Washoe Fire, which broke out on the west shore of Lake Tahoe Saturday afternoon.
Firefighters worked this morning to contain a 15-acre blaze on Lake Tahoe's west shore that destroyed five homes and forced evacuations of some residents and tourists, officials said.
No injuries were reported. The wind-whipped Tahoe fire began near the resort community of Sunnyside just south of Tahoe City, but never grew larger than 15 acres.
U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Barbara Rebiskie said the fire started at one home and quickly spread to four others. The fire slowed Saturday evening, allowing most of the people who were evacuated to return.
The house where the fire started was fully engulfed when crews arrived shortly after 1:30 p.m. Flames were being fanned by wind gusts of up to 30 mph.
A high wind warning for the Lake Tahoe basin is in effect for today.