Heavy rain knocks out Jack Wright fire

Firefighters battled two lightning-caused blazes Monday afternoon in southern Douglas County.

The Jack Wright fire broke out approximately 2:45 p.m. north of Jack Wright pass.

East Fork Fire Capt. Terry Taylor said the fire was approximately 20 acres at 4 p.m. and burning upward and toward the north into the Pine Nut Range.

Heavy rain at the Jack Wright fire at 4:15 p.m. knocked down all the active fire, officials said.

The Topaz Lake fire broke out about 1:15 p.m. on the ridgeline between Topaz Lake and Topaz Ranch Estates toward the back of the Sleeping Elephant Ranch.

By 4 p.m., firefighters had established a wet line around the Topaz Lake fire which means hoses had been pulled from brush trucks all the way around the fire, Taylor said.

According to Helen Frazier of the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center, three air tankers, two helicopters, two engines, a hand crew and 40 personnel responded to the Jack Wright fire.

One water tender, a hand crew, 10 engines and 40 personnel were at the Topaz Lake fire.

Taylor urged residents to contact their local fire departments if they see fire or smoke after lightning strikes.

"Lightning can cause fires that will 'seat' down in the vegetation and you won't be able to see active flame until later," he said.

Responders included East Fork career personnel and volunteers from Ruhenstroth, Ranchos, Topaz Lake and Topaz Ranch Estates. The Nevada Division of Forestry sent equipment and the U.S. Forest Service was on scene.