Downed aircraft sparks Slide Mountain fire

9/4/18 7:30 p.m. update: Firefighters have gained a containment line around 95 percent of the Slide Fire. The total land that has burned remains at 64 acres.
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8:30 p.m. update 9/3/18: The Slide Fire that started around 2:15 p.m. Sunday is now 50 percent contained and has burned 64 acres. The fire was caused after a recreational aircraft crashed one mile southeast of the Winter Creek Lodge in the Slide Bowl area of the Mt. Rose Ski Resort.

It has been confirmed that one person died in the crash. The FAA is investigating the cause of the crash.

The deceased person's identity has not been released. The crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Firefighters have continued to secure and reinforce containment lines. It has not been determined at this time if the aircraft had an engine with combustible fuels on board. A fire line was mapped on Monday, reducing the size of the fire from 80 acres.

For the next several days, the public will see occasional smoke from flare up of fuels burning out. The fire’s interior has pockets of excessive brush and timber. These flare ups are well within containment lines. Please do not report them as firefighters are on scene and working them.
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9:00 p.m. update: People can expect to see flames on the active #SlideFire tonight. Crews will be on scene throughout the night securing the perimeter and working on containment. Residents in Washoe Valley should remain vigilant but there are no evacuation orders at this time.

The downed aircraft has been located and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is on the scene.

No other details are available at this time.
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4:45 p.m. update: According to Trucke Meadows Fire, the FAA is on the scene and the fire is no longer advancing towards Mt. Rose Ski Area. There are both ground and air attacks continuing to work on the fire.
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Firefighters are responding to an aircraft crash and subsequent wild fire reported Sunday afternoon above Bowers Mansion in Washoe Valley, near the Davis Creek Campground on the eastern face of Slide Mountain.

The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District reports the fire is about 20 acres in size and is moving uphill to the north.

Aerial support has responded to the fire with fixed wing and helicopters.

Volunteers with the Washoe Sheriff Search and Rescue team are in the back country helping to inform and evacuate hikers in the area of the Slide Fire area and trying to reach the aircraft. US-395A is closed both directions near I-580.

Use an alternate route.

Check back for updates.