Firefighters battle wildland blaze southeast of Reno

Friday, July 2, 1999 | 4:04 a.m.

A thick plume of smoke bellowed southeast of Reno from the fire off Mira Loma Road and north of Geiger Grade.

"It's moving fast," said Kathy Carter, spokeswoman for the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. "We've called in everyone."

More than 300 firefighters were at the scene or en route while two air tankers battled the blaze from the air.

There were unconfirmed reports of at least one home being damaged or destroyed, Carter said.

The fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. and raced through juniper, sagebrush and dry grass. It was advancing north and east, up the slopes of the Virginia Range.

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