Wind stifles suppression of fire

Gusty winds Sunday afternoon worked to prevent crews from containing a wildfire located near the Carson City landfill. Winds caused the Flint fire to shift and blow out lines several times during the afternoon.

The 215-acre fire was listed as 90 percent contained at 7:45 p.m. Sunday. Barring a change in conditions, full containment was expected by late Sunday evening, according to Elayne Briggs, Sierra Front Fire Information Officer. Crews had expected the fire to be contained by 3:30 p.m. Sunday but strong winds caused a blow out on the south flank.

Both air and ground crews focused their attack at that edge, located near Brunswick Canyon. Full control of the fire is expected by tonight.

"The wind just blows the fire through that cheatgrass so fast," said Carson City Fire Chief Stacey Giomi.

The fire began at 11:49 a.m. Sunday near the Carson Rifle Range south of the landfill. The fire appears to be human caused and is currently under investigation.

More than 120 personnel from Carson City Fire, Central Lyon Co. Fire, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Nevada Division of Forestry, East Fork Fire, Mason Valley Fire and North Lyon County Fire worked under a unified command to battle the blaze.

Crews were supported by six heavy air tankers and two helicopters as well as several hot shot crews. Air tankers were being used aggressively to try and hold the fire as the winds increased in the afternoon.

"We have a lot of resources available in the area and were able to put them to use," said Elayne Briggs, Sierra Front Fire Information Officer.

Lyon County Fire was providing structural protection to homes in the Mound House area, including the Carson Highlands Mobile Home park, located at 200 James Court. Homeowners were advised to be prepared but no evacuations were expected to be ordered.

Whitney Jackson, a resident of the park, said she had recently been helping her friends across Highway 50 evacuate during the Linehan fire.

"We moved their horses and took their dogs in during the last fire. It was nice to have a dry run, I'm not panicking nearly as much as I would be had we not done it," Jackson said.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.