Slinkard Fire near Topaz Lake burns 9,061 acres and remains 20% contained

UPDATE 9/3 9:00pm - 9,051 acres have now burned in the Slinkard Fire near Topaz Lake. It remains at 20 percent contained.

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UPDATE 9/2 2:45PM - The Slinkard Fire is burning in three counties and two states: Mono, Alpine and Douglas County in California and Nevada. It has consumed 7,881 acres since starting by lightning on August 29. Firefighters now have a containment line around 20 percent of the fire. It is located in Slinkard Valley, and on the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz Lake and eight miles north of Walker, Calif.

There was minimal growth and activity last night due to calm winds.
Today’s fire priorities are control the fire’s north-west spread which could threaten residential areas watershed, cultural and heritage sites. Structure defense resources remain in place in Holbrook Highlands and the area of Topaz Lake and Highway 395.

Unseasonably hot temperatures will continue through the weekend with light easterly winds in the valleys and poor overnight humidity recovery for mid and upper slopes. Winds will be stronger over the ridge tops tonight, then become lighter Saturday night. Moisture will begin to work north Sunday with increasing chances of thunderstorms starting Monday through midweek.

Hwy 395 is remaining open though law enforcement highway is monitoring the situation. Highway is subject to closure if conditions change. Please exercise extreme caution as firefighters may be working from the roadway. Motorists traveling on Highway 395 are reminded that there will be large amounts of fire traffic and this is a holiday weekend. Please drive with caution.

Flight restrictions are in place over the fire.

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Slinkard Fire is still burning near the California/Nevada border and Topaz Lake. It is estimated to be 7,200 acres and there was 0 percent containment this morning.

Topaz has been evacuated north of Hwy 89 to the Nevada state line. For public safety, State Route 89 remains closed between U.S. Hwy. 395 and State Route 4 (at Monitor Pass). Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 182 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line. However, Hwy 395 will be open with highway patrol escort when safe.

A detour is in place for Hwy 395 and access to Bridgeport remains open.
Numerous resources are on order including hand crews, which are a critical need, and air resources.

Crews from Liberty Utilities have been working to replace power poles and lines damaged in the fire. At 4:00 p.m. Friday they re-energized the line which sustained damage. All customers in the Topaz, Coleville, Walker area should have power restored by 5:00 pm if this works. If it fails (because there's more damage than we can see & access), then we'll fire up the temporary generator we're currently installing.

The fire is located in Slinkard Valley and the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz in Mono County, California. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

There are four hand crews, 51 engines, 8 aircraft, four water tenders, 2 dozers and support staff assigned to the fire. A Type 2 Incident Management Team is en route.