Power on way for Antelope Valley residents

Antelope Valley residents may have their power restored as early as this evening thanks to a large generator on loan from Truckee Meadows Water Authority.

Sierra Pacific Power Co. district manager Wes Wiens said the Gate Complex fires burned up 1.8 miles of power line, cutting power to Coleville and the fire command headquarters.

The generator should provide power to 1,000 to 1,200 residents of Coleville and the surrounding area.

Wiens said the generator should be up and running by tonight or early Tuesday.

The three Gate Complex fires are burning more than 10,000 acres and have isolated Antelope Valley in southern Douglas County, cutting off electricity, outside phone service and the major highway through the area.

The owners of the Topaz Lodge are evacuating from their location just north of Topaz Lake. No other evacuations are presently under way, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Sgt. Lance Modispacher said residents of Topaz Lake, Topaz Ranch Estates, Holbrook Junction and Double Springs should be ready to go in case an evacuation is necessary.

According to the 9 a.m. report from the Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators, the three Gate Complex fires have burned 10,560 acres near the Nevada California border.

The Coleville fire is 150 acres, the Gate fire has burned 410 acres and the Slinkard fire has burned 10,000 acres.

The largest of the three fires, the Slinkard fire is burning from Highway 89 to the Topaz Lodge and has jumped Highway 395, closing it at Holbrook Junction.

Structure engines from Carson Valley and Douglas County Search and Rescue were headed south to prepare for the potential evacuation of Topaz Ranch Estates, located just north of Highway 208 to Smith Valley.

Power outages have shut down water for residents relying on wells.

Authorities say evacuations may be done in Double Springs and Holbrook. The cost to fight the lightning-caused fire has so far reached $450,000. So far only a barn and an outbuilding has been lost in the fire.