Mono fire closes popular tourist spots

Officials hope to have the 1,000-acre Mono fire contained by Friday evening.

The fire burning just southeast of Lee Vining in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine, was driven by high erratic winds on Tuesday, spotting north of Highway 120. Fire crews were able to extinguish the spot fires and hold the line. As of this morning, firefighters had a line a fifth of the way around the blaze.

Highway 120 continues to be closed at the intersection with Highway 395.

According to an update issued this morning on the Inciweb Incident Information Web site, the fire has closed two day use areas on the shore of Mono Lake.

Firefighters say calm winds expected today will help crews and aircraft suppress the blaze.

For alternative sites to visit at Mono Lake, contact the Scenic Area Visitor Center at (760) 647-3044.

The 686-acre Potato fire seven miles southeast of Bridgeport is 70 percent contained. Improved weather. Rain on Sunday night helped slow the fire down.

A 1,495-acre lightning fire five miles south of Doyle is expected to be contained by Thursday.

Firefighters have a line half way around the Constantia fire, which has claimed three structures.

The potential for the fire's further growth had decreased and it is smoldering as interior burning continues.