Twin Peaks fire update

Twin Peaks HMA Rush Fire on Rye Patch Road August 18, 2012 (Photo by BLM)

Started:  August 12, 2012 at 6:42 pm Expected Containment: 8/28/2012
Cause:  Lightning Committed Resources: 885 people
Fuels:  Fire is burning in sagebrush, juniper, and grass Structures Threatened: 39 (20 residences; 1 commercial; 18 outbuildings)
Estimated Size: 320,793 acres Structures Damaged or Destroyed: 1 (barn)
Containment: 64% Injuries: 2 (both in fire camp)

Summary: “No major runs today,” was the good news firefighters got at their evening briefing Thursday.  The Rush fire has now burned into areas with less vegetation and more lava rock, 25 miles northeast of Ravendale, Calif., in the Buffalo Hills, a few miles inside Nevada.  In several places the fire simply ran out of “fuel” to burn.

Even this afternoon’s winds weren’t able to stir up major burning.  The potential for the fire to spread rapidly is still there, especially if winds line up with more heavily vegetated areas.

On the fire edge near Antelope Basin, air tankers dropped retardant and smoke jumpers parachuted in to work on stopping this part of the fire.  South of Burnt Lake, firefighters made good progress on building fireline.

Overnight, firefighters plan to continue burning out, building line, patrolling, and mopping up in the northeast part of the fire.

On the southeast edge of the fire near the state line, suppression-repair work continues.  Crews hope to finish this work on Friday and will move on to the southwest edge of the fire, east of U.S. 395 in California.

Area and Road Closures in Effect: Public lands bounded by Highway 395 on the west, the Sand Pass road and Nevada 447 on the east, the Wendel Road on the south, and Juniper Ridge road to Buckhorn road on the north are closed. The Buffalo Meadows road in Washoe Co., Nev., is also closed.

Remarks:   NOTE:  Use of chainsaws on public lands managed by BLM in NE California and far northwest Nevada is suspended because of extreme fire danger.  Fire officials remind residents and visitors that fire restrictions are in effect for public lands and national forests in northeast California and far northwest Nevada.  Campfires are permitted only in posted recreation sites.

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