Fire near town of Topaz closes highways, evacuations in place

UPDATE 8/31 10:00AM - The Slinkard Fire has grown to 5,000 acres with 0 percent containment this morning. The fire has burned to Hwy 395 and crossed Hwy 89 to the north.

Last night, fire crews focused on the eastern flank of the fire along Hwy 395 and engine crews were dedicated to structure protection in northern Topaz. There are no injuries and no structures lost at this time. Power is out in the immediate area.

The Sierra Front 2 (Type 3) Incident Management Team took command of the incident last night. Today, fire crews will continue to focus on protecting structures and infrastructure near in Topaz and along the Hwy 395 corridor, re-establishing anchor points on the fire and constructing fire line for perimeter control.

Topaz has been evacuated north of Hwy 89 to the Nevada state line. For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 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 ordered including hand crews, which are a critical need, and air attack and lead plane, two single engine air tankers, a heavy air tanker and two super scoopers.

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 two hand crews, 30 engines, three helicopters, four water tenders, 1 dozer and support staff assigned to the fire. A Type 2 Incident Management Team is en route. This is a lightning-caused fire.

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UPDATE 9:00PM - The Slinkard Fire has doubled in size today and has now burned 3,000 acres. Fire crews have no containment at this time. Highway 395 remains closed near Topaz Lake. Liberty Utilities has an alert out to the Coleville, Walker and Topaz Lake residents that power outages are imminent as power poles and lines are burning.

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The Slinkard Fire, burning west of the town of Topaz in the Slinkard Valley in Mono County, has grown to 1500 acres since starting Tuesday evening.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) officials say the fire has crossed Highway 89 and is moving east towards Topaz. Highway 395 is closed and the town of Topaz has been evacuated north of Hwy. 89 to the Nevada State Line.

It is believed the fire is caused by a lightning strike.

Winds has been an issue today. The fire is burning in cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

Fire crews are putting in a "dozer line" along the eastern edge of Topaz and numerous engines are in place for structure protection.

For public safety, Hwy 89 remains closed between Hwy 395 and Hwy 4 (at Monitor Pass). Hwy 395 is closed from the junction of State Route 82 in Bridgeport to the Nevada state line.

Unsettled weather will remain a concern for today, with thunderstorm activity and winds in the forecast.

There are five crews, numerous engines, three helicopters are support staff assigned to the fire. A Type 3 Team has been ordered and is en route. A Type 1 Team is being ordered.

For more information, visit the fire page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5559/.