Wellington fire grows to 100 acres

A fast-moving grass fire five miles south of Wellington and Highway 208 has grown to 100 acres. The Boulder fire has an active flame front with spot fires catching up to a quarter mile ahead of the main blaze.

As of 6:35 p.m. the fire on the east side of Wellington Hills is within a mile of structures.

BLM, NDF, Douglas County and Mason Valley fire units are battling the blaze, whose cause is under investigation.

The fire is under attack from five air tankers, four hand crews, a helicopter and more than 125 firefighters.

A Type III management team is being activated for the fire.

Meanwhile the Pine Nuts fire nine miles east of Johnson Lane is remaining stable at 50 acres. An air tanker, four hand crews, three helicopters and 90 personnel are fighting the blaze.

6 p.m. update

A fire in the Pine Nut Mountains nine miles east of Johnson Lane has grown to 50 acres in size, while a 30-acre fire is burning six miles south of Wellington near Wilson Canyon.

A thunderstorm cell passing north along the Douglas-Lyon county line has firefighters concerned. Gusty winds from the thunderstorms could fan the fires already burning and lighting from the storm could set additional fires.

According to Sierra Front Fire Information Officers Mark Struble, the Pine Nut fire is located near Mineral Peak in the Pine Nut Mountains. It is burning in pinon pine and juniper. No structures are threatened by the fire, and there have been no evacuations.

The Boulder fire near Wilson Canyon is burning in mixed brush and grass. Personnel on scene report structures within a mile of the flames, but there are no evacuations or closures as of 6 p.m.

5:30 p.m. update

A 10-acre fire in the Pine Nut Mountains nine miles east of Johnson Lane is sending a smoke plume visible from Carson Valley.

The fire is located on Bureau of Land Management land on the northwest side of Mineral Peak in Douglas County.

Four engines, several aircraft, a water tender and four hand crews have been assigned to the fire as of 4:45 p.m.

East Fork firefighters are also responding to the blaze, which is burning in pinon pine and juniper. Smoke is being blown east toward Stagecoach. No structures are in immediate danger, according to Fire Information Officer Mark Struble.

Fire vehicles will be using Johnson Lane and other roads leading into the mountains.