Monday fire races through Reservoir Road property

A late Monday afternoon fire on Reservoir Road destroyed or damaged a house, travel trailer, 15 vehicles and a shed, reports the Fallon/Churchill Fire Department.

Assistant Chief Bill Lawry said the home’s occupant was burning weeds near a structure, and the flame ignited cotton. Lawry said the fire spread rapidly after that.

Fallon/Churchill and Federal Fire Department from Naval Air Station Fallon responded with a combined six engines and two water tenders. Paramedics from Banner Churchill Community Hospital were called out. Thirty firemen from both agencies were on the scene.

Lawry said the resident — who was not the owner of the house — was taken to Banner Churchill, and one fireman was treated for heat exhaustion. At the time of the fire, the National Weather Service reported Fallon’s temperature was 97 degrees with winds at 26 miles per hour. NWS had issued a Red Flag warning earlier in the day for hot temperatures, low humidity and strong winds.

Prior to the fire, NAS Fallon had recorded gusts up to 28 miles per hour.