UPDATE 4:40PM: East Fork Fire, Bureau of Land Management. Along with Douglas County Sheriff’s Office are still on scene working a fire that is estimated to be 15-20 acres in size and 10 percent contained on private property and BLM land. East Fork Fire is the lead agency and working with BLM, Nevada Division of Forestry and US Forest Service. The fire is located in the Ruby Hill Mine area near Pine Nut Road #2 and Out R way in Gardnerville.
At 4 p.m. the equipment committed to the fire is listed as follows: (8) eight engines, (4) four water tenders, (2) two helicopters, (2) two SEATS, (1) one Air Attack, (3) three hand crews and (6) six overhead.
The fire is mainly burning grass and medium brush inside old burn areas. Winds are continuing to cause small flare-ups. Area residents are being allowed to return to their homes. The sheriff’s office is maintaining traffic control at Out R way and Pine Nut Road #2.
An investigation is underway to determine if it is a human caused fire. Carson City, Tahoe Douglas and Mono County fire departments are filling in East Fork stations while the fire is being worked on. A cooperative effort between all agencies involved is progressing.
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UPDATE 2:13PM: Firefighters continue working Wednesday afternoon on the Ruby Fire burning in the Pine Nut Mountains near Gardnerville. The fire is said to be "spot spreading," with additional units being put on it, according to dispatch. At least four structures are threatened and the fire has grown to around 15 acres.
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Douglas County fire crews were called Wednesday at around noon to a vegetation fire in the area of Sheep Camp Road in the Pine Nut Mountains east of Gardnerville.
Helicopter air attacks have been ordered with at least two helicopters responding and an air tanker on standby. Firefighters are staging at Pine Nut Road and Lena Lane.
The fire, called the Ruby Fire, is about five acres and burning into light to medium grass, according to firefighters on scene. According to emergency broadcast reports, up to four structures are threatened and occupants have been informed via phone call to evacuate. Units are responding to assist with the voluntary evacuations, according to Carson Valley Times.
Law enforcement has been called to assist with traffic control. Motorists should stay out of the area. Fire engines from around Douglas County, the U.S. Forest Service, Nevada Department of Forestry and the BLM have been called to the scene.
The spread of the fire was said to be limited because of roads cut in the area of the direction the fire was moving, according to firefighters on scene.
Multiple reports of visible smoke are being called into Douglas County dispatch.
For fire updates, go here.