Lightning bolts spark fire fights

As lightning lit up the sky in Carson City on Wednesday, fire crews scrambled to maintain control of several blazes.

In the Carson and Douglas areas, lightning touched off a half-dozen small fires that were quickly extinguished, said Anna Maria Echeverria-Durch, Sierra Front spokeswoman.

In Carson City fires were reported at Sedge Drive and South Deer Run Road, Ash Canyon, Brunswick Canyon and Vicee Canyon.

The Ash Canyon fire was the most significant, with two to three acres burned. The others were extinguished with less than one acre burned.

No structures were threatened.

Firefighters were more concerned with two larger fires reported in the Reno area in Hungry Valley, 15 miles north of Sparks, and Mitchell Canyon east of Dog Valley.

The Hungry Valley fire had consumed 500 acres by Wednesday evening. Although structures were threatened, fire crews were able to keep the flames at bay, said Echeverria-Durch.

"One air tanker, three bulldozers, five hand crews and two engines were assigned to the fire," she said. "Smoke jumpers were ordered for the area."

The Mitchell Canyon fire, on Peavine Mountain, consumed approximately 200 acres of thick sagebrush. No structures were threatened.

Both fires were believed to be under control Wednesday evening.

Tuesday's fire that consumed 550 acres near China Spring Youth Camp was also determined to be contained by 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Mark Struble, Bureau of Land Management spokesman, said the fire had previously been overestimated at more than 1,000 acres. After examination with satellite technology, a more precise estimate was available.

Eight hand crews, six fire engines, two helicopters and five airplanes were used to bring the blaze under control. Approximately 300 people responded from county, state and federal fire agencies.

Although the land is managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the BLM is responsible for firefighting efforts.

The fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have been started by a man using a chainsaw.

Firefighters hope to keep the blaze contained to west of Highway 395, South of China Springs Road and North of the Doubt Springs Watershed.

Forty-three China Spring juvenile inmates and workers were evacuated to the CVIC hall in Gardnerville when the fire broke out at 2 p.m. They returned to the detention facility at 6 p.m.

No structures were damaged and no injuries reported.