Homes Threatened in Douglas County Nevada Wildfire
By Jack Freer  |  Posted July 5, 2013  |  Gardnerville, Nevada

Two hundred firefighters are battling the 1300-acre Bison fire burning in timber, sagebrush, and grass in the mountains 5 miles east of Gardnerville, Nevada. The fire is threatening residential structures and penned livestock.

The fire started July 4 at 3:30 p.m. after the National Weather Service issued warnings of severe thunderstorms and lightning in the area.

Firefighters are actively engaged in structure protection and perimeter hand line construction designed to keep the fire contained to the Pinenut Creek area. The Pinenut 2 Road that leads into the residential areas has been closed except to residential and emergency traffic. Fire is operating under unified command between the East Fork Fire Protection District and the Bureau of Land Management.

As of 9 p.m. other agencies helping to fight the fire are Story County Fire, Lyon County Fire, Carson City Fire, Reno Fire, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Equipment and staff being used to fight the fire are 2 air tankers, 2 helicopters, 2 hand crews, 7 engines, 15 command staff and 200 personnel are on scene.

The fire is also burning in a priority sage grouse habitat and a critical deer winter range. Containment and control are estimated for July 7.

Information obtained from Elayn Briggs, Center Information Officer, with the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.

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