Quick reaction stops brush fire

A small brush fire in Topaz Ranch Estates at 11:22 a.m. Tuesday could have easily become a big one had south county firefighters not stopped it in its tracks.

Sparks from a homeowner doing metal work ignited brush near a home on Zeolite Circle. The fire quickly spread to 11Ú2 acres.

"The fire definitely threatened two structures," East Fork Fire & Paramedic Districts Deputy Chief Dave Drew said. "First responders got on scene very fast and were able to stop it at that size."

Career and volunteer firefighters from Topaz Ranch Estates Station 4 and Topaz Lake Station 5 were first on scene.

A red flag fire warning was in effect on Tuesday and Drew said vegetation is very dry.

"They were able to get there and to stop it right where it was and thank goodness, or we would still be chasing it today," Drew said.

Vegetation is so dry that there is a 100 percent chance that a spark will ignite it.

"Even though things are cooling down, the fire danger out there is still huge," he said. "It's just amazing. Fuels are extremely dry and heavy from all the spring rains. There is a lot of grass out there."

Carrie Lawing was driving to her home on Zeolite Circle when she saw the smoke in the distance.

"There's nothing like coming home from town, wondering, 'What are those flames there?'" said Lawing. "I went 90 mph up my driveway. I was in Gardnerville coming home. I arrived about 15 minutes after the fire."

Firefighters quickly directed her to drive her car out of the driveway. Lawing said the fire had encircled her home except for the driveway. She counted about six neighbors and 25 firefighters from TRE, Topaz Lake, Ruhenstroth and the Gardnerville Ranchos fire departments fighting the fire.

"The fire spread behind my house and it also jumped up to the front of my house," said Lawing. "The way the wind was blowing it went up (the neighbor's) mountain and over to my mountain and then jumped in front. The fire chief and firefighters from TRE were first on the scene. They're there 24 hours a day now. I counted 20 on my mountain and a bunch were down below. There were at least 25 personnel."

Lawing was worried about her dog, Grace, but found out that a neighbor had rescued her when he saw the fire.

"My neighbor walks the circle every day," said Lawing of her neighbor Dick Crick, whom she just met for the first time a few days before. "He went and got her and took her to his home. Thank goodness my house is safe and my office and my dog. My daughter was in school."

Lawing moved to Topaz Ranch Estates two years ago, but until now had not gotten to know her neighbors.

"The neighbors were all here first with their shovels and hoses," said Lawing. "I didn't know any of my neighbors, but I do now. These people were just incredible.

"That scene will stay with me for a while."