Virginia Complex fire north of Reno consumes 59,727 acres, 73% contained

The Virginia Mountains Complex fires burning about 35 miles north of Reno have burned almost 60,000 acres since being started by lightning on July 29. The complex is composed of five separate wildland fires, including the Anderson (16,284 acres), Sage (4,238 acres), Seven Lakes (3,063 acres), Rock (2,293 acres) and Tule (30,340 acres) Fires. The fires are burning within about 20 miles of each other in an arc.

The 607 firefighters working on the fires have been able to get them 73 percent contained.

The Super Scoopers working out of the Lake Tahoe Airport had been working on the fire, getting water out of nearby Pyramid Lake, but have since been reassigned to new fires in Idaho.

The Virginia Mountains received wind gusts of up to 30 miles an hour today but containment lines were able to hold. In fact, firefighters are rapidly increasing containment on the Anderson and Tule Fires. At the same time, they are completing rehabilitation work on suppression work from the Rock, Seven Lakes, and Sage Fires. As containment increases, crews are being released to either return to their own bases or be reassigned to other fires in the west.

Pyramid Lake is reopened to the public. Carson City District BLM has no area closures associated with the Virginia Mountain Complex. However, residents and visitors should be advised of increased traffic in and around the fire area and east of Doyle, CA, along Hwy 395, where the fire camp and helibase are both located.