A 1,000-acre fire is burning out of control about about eight miles northeast of Walker, in the humboldt Toiyabe National Forest.
The Jackass Flat, Risue Canyon fire is threatening 15 homes, 45 outbuildings and powerlines. The lightning-caused fire, burning in pinon and juniper, near the Douglas-Lyon county border, was reported at about 4:30 p.m. today.
As of 10:30 p.m. the fire was moving north and eastward into Desert Creek. Lyon County has structure protection in place.
Extreme fire behavior has been observed, the fire is active on all flanks and is spotting 1.5 miles ahead of flame front, according to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.
Observed flame front from the air is approximately 1.5 miles wide. This extreme fire behavior was due to a collapsing thunder-head cell.
The fire is expected to remain active throughout the night due to continued erratic winds and low relative humidity.
Highway 338 is closed at the junction of State Route 208 north of Wellington. Desert Creek Roads have been closed to Highway 338.
Desert Creek Campground and other sites near Desert Creek have been evacuated. Desert Creek Ranch, on the east side of the fire, has been evacuated.
Crews from the U.S. Forest Service, Mono County, East Fork Fire and Paramedic District, the U.S. Marine Mountain Warefare Training Center. the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Division of Forestry are on scene.
Traffic control is being provided by the Nevada Highway Patrol and the Nevada Department of Transportation.
Resources include two air tankers, two helicopters, one water tender, five dozers, three hand crews, 11 engines, five command staff and 92 personnel.
Air craft working the fire are grounded until day break. They were gounded earlier today due to thunder storm cells over Walker. Working the fire are: two single engine air tankers, two helicopters and one air attack observation plane, according to the dispatch center.
No estimate of containment or control has been made as of 10 p.m.
A Type I National Incident Management Team has been ordered to take over the management of the fire.
Three to six other lightning fires are also burning in theBridgeport Ranger District, though most are between 5and 10 acres.
A 10-acre fire near the Carson City Landfill, is in the mop up stage.