Wild fire burning in Pinon and Upper Colony area of Lyon County

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of Nevada to combat the Upper Colony Fire burning in Lyon County.

The State of Nevada on Sunday submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the Upper Colony Fire. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 100 homes in and around the community of Smith Valley. The fire was also threatening five buildings, infrastructure, utilities, and watershed. Mandatory evacuations were issued for approximately 100 people with the potential for further evacuations.

The fire started on Sunday and has burned in excess of 1,500 acres of state and private land. The fire is zero percent contained. There are no other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state.

Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.

The shelter is at Smith Valley Baptist Church 888 Hudson Way.