Man accused of setting fire on forest land in Tahoe City

A man suspected of intentionally starting a fire in Tahoe City last week has been arrested and booked at the South Placer Jail.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to reports of a fire spreading near the 1800 block of North Lake Tahoe Boulevard Friday morning.

A witness saw the flames and attempted to put out the fire out of fear it would spread downhill to nearby homes, the office said.

Cal Fire crews arrived later and put out the flames, the report stated. Upon further investigation, Cal Fire determined that the fire was intentionally set on undeveloped forest land with dry fuel.

Deputies then located the suspect with the help of the witness, finding Kevin Carle, 37, of Olympic Valley. Carle had three outstanding warrants out of Inyo County, and was found with two lighters in his pocket and two in his backpack, officials said. He was arrested Thursday.

Carle’s bail is currently set at $225,000.