Douglas County fire near Gardnerville held at 1,000 acres, 5 percent containment
Submitted by Editor on Sun, 07/22/2012 - 5:37pm
UPDATE 10:55AM: The Springs fire in the Pine Nut mountains east of Gardnerville in Douglas County held to 1,000 acres overnight and is five percent contained, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center. Scattered thunderstorms are in the forecast today.
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10:13PM: Smoke moved into the Lake Tahoe Basin on Sunday night as a result of Sunday afternoon fires sparked by lightning in Douglas County which have reportedly burned about 1,000 acres in the Pine Nut mountains east of Gardnerville. Fire crews are still working the scene, which was said to be growing at a moderate rate. Thunderstorms rattled much of western Nevada Sunday afternoon. Some scattered showers could happen in the Lake Tahoe Basin tonight, according to the National Weather Service in Reno. A Red Flag warning for high winds is in effect for the mountains east of the Lake Tahoe Basin until 5 a.m. Monday morning.
***6:50PM: Afternoon thunderstorms produced lightning that started brush fires in the Pine Nuts east of Gardnerville in Douglas County on Sunday, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center. No immediate structures were said to be threatened. The fires have burned about 1,000 acres at last report, which was 6:30 p.m.
There's been one confirmed small fire in the north Sweetwater area south of Smith Valley. Units are on scene and report that they can handle with no additional resources. Go here for the latest from Sierra Front and here from The Record-Courier.
As of 6:30PM:
The fire made significant runs through pinon juniper today due to gusty winds near thunderstorms over the area. Access to the fire is difficult due to steep, rocky terrain and limited roads. Firefighters are actively engaged in handline construction around the perimeter of the fire.
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