Sierra Front firefighters respond to Park Fire

An Eastern Alpine Fire Department water tender and an engine from the Bear Valley Fire Department were dispatched for mutual aid to the Park Fire raging near Chico.

As of Monday, the fire had grown to 575 square miles with a line around 12 percent of its perimeter, according to CalFire.

It closed Lassen Volcanic National Park and as of Monday morning was being fought by 4,742 people, including 90 hand crews, 406 engines and 33 helicopters.

The fire claimed 100 structures and cost $30.7 million to fight, according to the Incident Management Situation Report issued 6:30 a.m. Monday.

A dense smoke advisory has been issued for northern Washoe, Pershing, Churchill and northern Lyon counties through 2 p.m. Tuesday.

A Nevada National Guard C-130 airtanker equipped with firefighting gear has been deployed to Port Hueneme, Calif., and may be helping with the fire.

On Monday, a Nevada Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter departed the Army Aviation Support Facility in Stead to support firefighting efforts out of Sacramento Mather Airport. The Black Hawk and crew are joined by one Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck for firefighting operations.

Additionally, one Nevada Army Guard CH-47 Chinook was requested and is set to join the firefight beginning Wednesday out of Stockton, Calif.

"Nevada Army Guard helicopters are capable of fighting fires with what is commonly referred to as a 'Bambi' bucket suspended below the aircraft that can pick up and drop water over fires," spokesman Capt. Emerson Marcus said. "A Chinook carries a maximum weight of 2,000 gallons of water per drop. A Black Hawk can carry 660 gallons per drop."

On the Nevada side of the Sierra, the 30-square-mile Stockade Fire is burning near Gerlach. Around 70 firefighters have a line around a tenth of the fire.

Lightning strikes set a few small fires in the Pine Nut Mountains, but those have all been extinguished.

Alpine County reminded residents that the Sierra Front is in the middle of wildfire season.

Fire restrictions are in effect and limit the use of any ember producing flame to paid campgrounds with designated campfire rings and 24-hour observation.

Residential backyard burning and campfires outside of these designated areas are strictly prohibited.