Firefighters expect control of China Spring fire Wednesday

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GARDNERVILLE - Firefighters expected to have a line completely around a fire burning near Horseshoe Bend on the Carson River by 6 p.m. Monday.

The fire has burned 335 acres since it was first reported 12:47 p.m. Sunday. Sierra Front Information Officers Elayne Briggs reported the fire is almost entirely within the area of the Mud fire that burned two years ago.

The fire is burning grass, brush, piñon and juniper and timber on land mostly managed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Of the 335 acres, 221 are on Humboldt Toiyabe lands, 71 acres belong to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and 43 acres are privately held.

No structures are threatened. Threats include critical winter deer habitat, riparian habitat along the East Fork of the Carson River and cultural resources, according to Briggs.

About 160 people, including five hand crews and eight fire engines, plus three helicopters worked on the fire Monday. It was 100 percent contained as of 4:30 p.m. Monday and control of the fire is expected by 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Crews from the Bureau of Land Management, the Nevada Division of Forestry, Douglas County, Alpine County, Incline Fire Department and the Los Padres and Angles National Forests are battling the blaze.

No structures have been threatened, and no injuries have been reported.

Smoke from the China Spring fire traveled as far north as Reno on Monday and an inversion trapped the smoke on the valley floors, said meteorologist Scott McGuire of the National Weather Service in Reno.

Light and variable winds are expected to stay around through Wednesday.

McGuire said there is no real change in the weather pattern expected until temperatures drop and winds pick up this weekend.