Modern emigrants on their way to California

We couldn't be more pleased with the quick response to the Power Dam fire on Tuesday.

This is the second wildland fire of consequence in two months and the East Fork Fire & Paramedic Districts has not been pulling any punches.

Both Sleeping Elephant and the Power Dam fire were similar in that they burned in light to moderate fuels and were wind driven.

The terrain and proximity of Highway 395 on the Power Dam fire could have resulted in dire consequences for the community of Ruhenstroth.

Fortunately the fire didn't jump the highway and firefighters full court press brought it under control in a matter of hours.

The fire also highlighted some of the difficulties we face getting around in Carson Valley.

Highway 395 through the Pine Nuts is a bottleneck and anything that blocks it puts motorists in for hours of frustration to get just a few miles.

The highway is also the only reasonable route into Ruhenstroth. The alternative is to take the dusty bumpy Dump Road, which was very popular on Tuesday.

There isn't much hope for an alternative route to Highway 395 in the foreseeable future, but the county could do a little work on Dump Road to provide Ruhenstroth residents an alternative route and provide fire services with a faster way to get between the community and the rest of the Valley.