Firefighters well on their way to containing Ray May fire

The smoke plume that rose above Carson Valley most of the week was absent on Friday morning, indicating that the Ray May fire had finally laid down.

After a long night with reasonably light winds and higher humidity, firefighters were well on their way to cutting a ring around the 3,895-acre Ray May fire.

Firefighters had a line 85 percent around the blaze and expected to have the fire contained by Sunday.

According to Sierra Front's website, sierrafront.net, an investigation on Thursday confirmed that three additional outbuildings were lost during the Wednesday night increased fire activity near the Ruby Hill Mine area.

East Fork Fire & Paramedics Chief Tod Carlini said that firefighters doing mop up will be on the scene for the better part of a week.

"I can't express how proud I am of everyone who worked on the fire, and continues to work on the fire," he said. "From the initial attack, our staff, our volunteers, everyone came to this fire to work and they did. It's an overwhelming feeling to know that there's that kind of dedication out there."

Voluntary evacuations for Pine Nut Creek and Lena Lane continue as the fire pushed east into the Pine Nut Mountains.

Several community members have expressed an interest in donating time and services to firefighters.

"They greatly appreciate your offers and urge those wishing to donate to spend the time completing their own defensible space," said fire public information officer Kirsten Cannon.

Residents also may donate to foundations for burn victims through East Fork Fire Burn Victims Fund and Fallen Firefighters families through www.wffoundation.org.

Two inmate crew firefighters injured on Wednesday returned to the line on Thursday.