Pinto Fire Update
Incident: Pinto Fire Wildfire
Released: 6/28/2012
Pinto Fire Update
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Red Flag Warning
Size: 2,800 acres
Percent Contained: 90%
Resources: 1 Helicopter; 6 Engines; 3 Type 1 Hand crews; 2 bulldozers; 2 water tenders
Total Personnel: 105
Firefighters today are expected to begin rehabilitating portions of the Pinto Fire. Firefighters last night made good progress on the fire, located about 20 miles east of Eureka, Nev., and five miles north of U.S. Highway 50. The 2,800-acre fire is 90-percent contained with full containment expected by this evening, Thursday, June 28.
The fire is burning in priority sage grouse habitat, consuming pinion-juniper and sagebrush, and dormant brush and slash.
The fire was first reported at about 12:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 26. It was ignited by arcing power lines caused by high winds. The fire interrupted electric service to Newark Valley. Service was restored yesterday through a temporary substation. Crews are working to reconstruct the primary power line.
Six residents that were evacuated as a precaution Tuesday returned safely to their homes yesterday. The structures were not damaged.
Firefighters are implementing a full-suppression strategy, using all available resources to protect life and property, and resources. The fire today is expected to exhibit interior running and torching, but little growth is expected. A red flag warning for high winds and low humidity is in effect.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Battle Mountain and Ely districts are being assisted by the Cold Creek and Eureka Volunteer fire departments, White Pine Fire Protection District, White Pine County Sheriff's Department and Nevada Division of Forestry.
For more information, go to http://bit.ly/MSljgd or contact Chris Hanefeld, BLM Ely District fire information officer, at (775) 289-1842 or chanefel@blm.gov
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