Origin of Power Dam fire traced to fire pit

Investigation continues today into the cause of the Power Dam fire which charred 80 acres Tuesday night six miles south of Gardnerville.

Fire officials are meeting this morning with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office to review the investigation.

Officials said Tuesday the fire was human-caused.

East Fork Fire Investigator Terry Taylor said the origin was traced to a fire pit on U.S. Forest Service Land near the old power dam.

"Basically, a fire pit is a hole in the ground where you light the fire and throw trash on it," Taylor said.

Career firefighters from East Fork and the U.S. Forest Service, volunteers from Ruhenstroth, Gardnerville Ranchos, Fish Springs and Gardnerville responded to the blaze which broke out at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Fueled by 15-mph winds, the wildland blaze came close to jumping Highway 395 before it was knocked down about 7 p.m.

Officials closed Highway 395 between Riverview Drive and China Spring Road for more than three hours because of low visibility due to smoke and to allow equipment on the scene.

There were no structures lost and no known injuries, said sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tom Mezzetta.