Fire in Pleasant Valley threatens homes

An afternoon fire in Pleasant Valley is threatening homes along the Mount Rose Highway, officials said.

Called the Pagni fire, the blaze is in the brush near the new Highway 395 Expansion bridge and is burning north.

Trooper Chuck Allen of the Nevada Highway Patrol said traffic is not being affected on Highway 395 through Pleasant Valley and traffic on the Mt. Rose Highway was still moving as of 3:52 p.m.

"But that depends on how volatile it gets. If any smoke is going to obscure any vision tonight its going to be on the Mount Rose," he said.

Mark Struble with the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch said the fire began about 3 p.m. One single-engine air tanker is on scene, as are about eight engines. Hand crews are en route.