Search and Rescue crews braved Saturday's blizzard-like conditions to search for the source of flashing lights in the Virginia Range that caused a commercial airline flying overhead to believe someone may be stranded there.
Capt. Jeff Page of the Lyon County Sheriff's Department said the passenger plane, on its approach to the Reno airport, reported seeing someone shooting flares and flashing lights as it flew over Fernley about 10 p.m.
Two patrol deputies responded to the Tiger Field Airport in Silver Springs where they too spotted the flares, Page said.
"They shined their lights up there and the lights flashed back," he said. "The only time people shoot flares is if they have a problem, traditionally."
About 36 search and rescue personnel began searching the area at 2 a.m. Saturday. A helicopter from Fallon Naval Air Station was able to give a latitude and longitude of the location before the driving snow forced them to land.
The lights are closest to an area called Talapoosa north of Silver Springs. Page said Washoe County sent eight people and snow cats to assist in the search.
The area isn't known as a camping location, he said.
"It's just a range of desert mountains. There's nothing up there but old mine shafts."
By noon attempts to reach the area by the Silver Springs side were unsuccessful. That didn't change when rescue crews attempted an ascent from the Fernley side.
"All we've found so far is a great deal of snow that had fallen since midnight. Any potential tracks that would have been there were covered by fresh snow."
With no luck and no sightings of any more lights, the search was called off at 6 p.m.
"We'll get back together tomorrow and determine whether we're going to continue," Page said.
Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.
