A small grass fire in the gravel pit just north of Walley's Hot Springs is out as of 11:38 a.m. Motorists using Foothill Road should watch for fire vehicles. The pit is a popular spot for target shooters, and one witness said there were some shooters at the pit. The fire was about 100 square feet. The fire was reported at 11:07 a.m. The East Fork Fire District firefighters from Genoa and Jacks Valley and Douglas County Sheriff's deputies responded.
A red flag warning goes into effect at 2 p.m. today and will last until 10 p.m. Strong winds and low humidity are combining to make for dangerous fired conditions.
According to the National Weather Service, areas of greatest threat are along Interstate 80 from Truckee to Lovelock, south along Highway 395 to Mammoth Lakes and along Highway 95 to Hawthorne.
Winds of 30-35 mph will continue with gusts of up to 40 mph in wind prone area.
Gusts over the Sierra Ridge will exceed 60 mph from Donner Summit to Tioga Pass.
