Power Dam fire knocked down in four hours

Officials hoped to reopen Highway 395 by 7 p.m. Tuesday after scores of firefighters knocked down an 80-acre brush fire that threatened to jump Highway 395 south of Gardnerville.

"There were no structures lost and no known injuries," said sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tom Mezzetta. "One truck came close to going up in flames, but all we lost was some hose."

The Power Dam fire broke out at 3:45 p.m. six miles south of Gardnerville near the road to the old power dam.

Fueled by 15-mph winds, the wildland blaze came close to jumping Highway 395.

Officials closed the roadway for three hours because of low visibility due to smoke and to allow equipment on the scene.

Mezzetta said Highway 395 would remain closed between Riverview Drive and China Spring Road while firefighters moved equipment and debris off the highway.

He said personnel would remain on scene to make sure the fire was extinguished

"We hope to have it open by 7 p.m.," he said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.