Heavy rain knocks out TRE fire

The National Weather Service is predicting a repeat of the weather that set at least three fires on Monday afternoon.

There is a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms today and a better chance on Thursday.

Firefighters spent Monday night keeping an eye on the Jack Wright Pass blaze near the Lyon-Douglas line, but by Tuesday morning they were mopping up.

The fire was held at 18 acres after a downpour slowed it Monday night.

Lightning started the fire at about 2:45 p.m. Monday. According to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch, there were some interior flare-ups in the fire overnight.

More than 100 firefighters, including four hand crews responded to the blaze located on the mountain above Highway 208 between Topaz Ranch Estates and Wellington. A strike team of fire engines patrolled Upper Colony Road in Smith Valley as a precaution, but the fire never threatened any homes.

East Fork Fire Capt. Terry Taylor said heavy rain at the Jack Wright fire at 4:15 p.m. knocked down all the active fire.

The Topaz Lake fire broke out about 3:15 p.m. on the ridgeline between Topaz Lake and Topaz Ranch Estates toward the back of the Sleeping Elephant Ranch. Another fire, located at Mill Canyon near Coleville was limited to a single tree.

By 4 p.m. Monday, 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.

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. The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management was on scene.