East Fork, Tahoe Douglas respond to Carson fires

East Fork and Tahoe-Douglas firefighters responded to two fires burning east of Carson City.

Flames could be seen cresting Prison Hill at around 4:50 p.m. Friday as a second fire was reported in Brunswick Canyon in the Pine Nuts around 5:02 p.m.

Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center reported the fire on Prison Hill was 3-5 acres.

The East Fork Fire burning southeast of Gardnerville has grown to 565 acres. Fire tankers have been dropping retardant along the ridgeline west side of the fire above the Carson River to keep it from cresting the hill.

“The current strategy is for firefighters, supported by aircraft to keep the fire contained within the river drainage where it is moving upslope from the Carson River,” officials said.

The U.S. Forest Service confirmed that the fire was started by lighting.

Federal firefighters are working the blaze south of Gardnerville, allowing resources to be applied to the Carson fires.