Red Cross caring for fire evacuees

Food and shelter is being provided for up to 100 people forced from their homes by the Larson fire in Coleville tonight. About 70 family members in Marine Corps housing north of Coleville have been evacuated to the Topaz Lake Lodge, according to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch.

Fire information officer Mark Struble reports the fire is at 600-700 acres and crews have cut a line around about 5 percent. The fire is in grass, sagebrush and pinon pine.

Gusty winds of up to 65 mph threw embers over fire lines at the blaze, catching surrounding vegetation, Struble said in his 8:30 p.m. briefing.

Highway 395 is closed between Holbrook Junction and Bridgeport tonight. Coleville between Larson and Cunningham lanes has been evacuated. An evacuation center has been set up in the Walker Community Center near the town park.

Also evacuated is the U.S. Post Office. Struble said alternative means for delivering the mail will be used on Wednesday.

A power line was reported down on Highway 395 knocking out power to 500 customers in Antelope Valley.

About 50 homes and another 150 structures are in immediate danger from the fire. Struble reported two outbuildings were reported destroyed along with their contents.

Firefighters have had to battle the blaze without the benefit of air support due to high winds. More than 600 people are fighting the fire, including 31 engines protecting structures and 20 hand crews working to try and contain the blaze. Also on scene are three helicopters which are grounded until at least morning and six bulldozers.

Cooler temperatures and a chance of rain tonight may help the fire effort, though the National Weather Service has shown no moisture falling in Coleville. Winds are expected to continue tonight at 11 mph with gusts of up to 29 mph.