Wildfire closes one lane of I-80

TRUCKEE - Crews were battling a 50-acre wildfire burning near the California/Nevada stateline in the Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest on Monday afternoon

Fire crews from surrounding agencies responded to the blaze burning about 500 feet from the westbound lanes of Interstate 80, said Mary Huggins, Cal Fire division chief with the Amador/El Dorado unit based in South Lake Tahoe.

Burning uphill and fueled by dry brush and steady winds, the fire reported at about 1:30 p.m. was attacked by fire personnel on foot and by air, she said. Four tankers, six hand crews, two helicopters, and 11 fire engines from local agencies responded.

The fire jumped from nonfederal land to national forest property, she said.

On Monday, U.S. Forest Service personnel were still investigating the cause of the fire, Huggins said. No one was injured.

Due to the proximity of the fire, the right lane of traffic on Interstate 80 westbound was closed, she said, and California Highway Patrol assisted with traffic control.

"I think this is a really good wake-up call for residents to do their defensible space," Huggins said.

This is the second-driest winter in 30 years, and fire season is getting an early start, she said.