Seneca fire nearly contained

Monday, July 10, 2000 | 2:45 a.m.

The Seneca fire was 90 percent contained by midday Monday, though no predictions were made on when the fire would be declared extinguished.

The fire on Peavine Peak broke out Sunday afternoon. Fanned by gusty winds, it quickly spread in three different directions.

An official cause was not immediately determined but investigators suspect it may have been sparked by a pickup truck. The cost of fighting the blaze was estimated at $225,000.

No homes were damaged.

"The fire is pretty much laying down," information officer Mark Struble said Monday. "It's looking real good."

Many firefighters were released from the scene Monday, though six engines, two bulldozers and five hand crews remained for mop-up and to check for hot spots.

"I think everyone's being cautious about possible thunderstorms and winds," Struble said. "They're spending a lot of time mopping up."

Two firefighters were treated Sunday for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.

Three others were examined after they were temporarily trapped by flames in their fire engine but they were not injured, Struble said.