RENO (AP) - Crews were trying to gain the upper hand on a wildfire that has grown to 10,100 acres, or nearly 16 square miles, in the Clan Alpine Range.
The Hoyt fire, about 125 miles northeast of Reno, was 50 percent contained late Saturday afternoon, two days after a pilot was killed while battling the blaze in a single-engine air tanker.
Fire officials said the blaze is burning brush and pinyon-juniper woodlands in a remote area of Churchill County east of Dixie Valley.
They said no houses are nearby, but the fire threatened critical habitat for sage grouse and desert bighorn sheep.
"Initial attack suppression efforts have been effective over the last few days." incident Commander Tom Suwyn said.
About 350 firefighters were battling the blaze about 70 miles northeast of Fallon, with the help of seven air tankers and three helicopters.
Officials said they expect full containment Monday.
The cause of the fire that began Thursday is under investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the cause of the plane crash.
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