Containment of Genoa Peak fire expected Sunday morning

Heavy tankers and unrelenting air attacks have officials confident the 16-acre Genoa Peak fire will be contained early Sunday morning.

The lightning-caused blaze burning above the town of Genoa was 60 percent contained as of 5:30 p.m. Saturday. A full line is expected to be completed around the fire by 6 a.m. Sunday.

"People may still see smoke, but it's just pockets within the contained area burning," said Franklin Pemberton, spokesman for the Minden Interagency Dispatch Center.

The fire is being fueled by heavy timber, duff and brush on steep terrain at the 7,200 foot elevation. The limited access is hampering ground suppression activity.

More than 60 personnel are expected to remain on the peak overnight to maintain existing fire lines and mop up hot spots. Air suppression efforts should cease at 9 p.m. but are expected to resume early Sunday morning.

"Those heavy air resources made the difference" Pemberton said. "Having those resources available and receiving them made the difference. Without those resources, this would have been a much longer affair."