Firefighters step up battle against 20,000-acre-plus wildfire

Sunday, July 11, 1999 | 1:28 a.m.

Fire information officer Nick Zufelt said the fire has burned more than 20,000 acres since it began Thursday near this small Elko County mining town 220 miles northeast of Reno.

The fire burned Sunday to within two miles of a ranch, but has caused no damage to any buildings. No major injuries were reported.

"It's been a tough one because of the hot weather and low humidity," Zufelt said Sunday. "There's an awful lot of fire that we don't have a line on, and I'd estimate it's only 40 percent contained right now.

"But I think we finally turned the corner when the humidity picked up and the winds died down last night. The fire isn't being near as active today as it has in past days."

Firefighters expect to extinguish the fire on Friday, two days after containing it, Zufelt said.

About 300 firefighters from Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Mississippi are battling it. Four air tankers and three helicopters are assisting them.

The fire is burning mostly cheatgrass and sagebrush on mountains and valley floors managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

The fire began along the road to Midas from Tuscarora and was caused by man. Its exact cause is under investigation.

Firefighters thought they had the fire contained shortly after it began Thursday, but high winds kicked up and quickly spread it.

Crews also thought they had the upper hand on it Friday, but more high winds and low humidity increased it from 9,000 acres to 20,000 acres by Saturday. Zufelt placed Sunday's total at "well in excess of 20,000 acres."

"The low humidity made it burn like crazy," he said. "But at this point, it shouldn't put up too many more acres today unless something unexpected comes up."

Heavy equipment was used Sunday to build a line around threatened buildings of the Izenhood Ranch, he said.