Firefighters make progress against Pine Nut blaze

Firefighters managed to hold a wild fire burning in the Pine Nut mountains to 3,000 acres while getting a line a fifth of the way around it.

The number of air tankers fighting the fire has been substantially reduced, according to Fire information officer Mark Struble of the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch at 5:45 p.m. today.

"Extensive airtanker demobilzation is under way due to progress containing the fire," he said. "Aircraft are being released to other incidents or returning to home bases."

At one point during the height of the fire, 10 air tankers and four helicopters were raining retardant and water down on the blaze.

While the number of aircraft are down, the number of ground troops working the fire has increased, with 10 hand crews on the line. About 300 firefighters are battling the blaze.

Struble said the fire is burning mostly unburned places within its perimeter on Bureau of Land Management territory. No structures have been lost in the fire. Firefighters home to have a line around the blaze by Monday.

Motorists traveling south on Highway 395 should anticipate a 30-minute delay. Pilot vehicles are escorting vehicles in both directions between the south end of Gardnerville and Hobrook Junction. Struble said there has been no estimate when the highway will be clear of controls.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.