Crews battle trio of wildfires burning in Sierra

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006 | 5:39 a.m.

Fire crews made some progress on Wednesday as they battled rugged terrain and gusty winds to fight three wildfires burning in the Sierra.

The largest was the Bassetts fire in the Tahoe National Forest 15 miles east of Downieville, Calif., and 1 mile north of California 49. The highway was closed between Sierra City and Sattley.

The fire had burned just under 1,000 acres in heavy timber and steep terrain and was threatening several cabins. Some 200 people had managed to contain 20 percent of the blaze by nightfall Wednesday.

A 25-acre fire burning in the Tahoe National Forest near Boca Reservoir was in mopup and the Mule Fire was burning in a remote area north of Placerville, Calif. The 50-acre fire did not threaten homes or other structures and was 20 percent contained.

About 150 firefighters were fighting the wind-driven Bassetts fire, which sent a wispy plume of smoke over the Reno area 50 miles to the east on Tuesday.

"This one is giving us the most concern because of the winds and if the wind shifts, it could be a problem," said Ann Westling, public affairs officer for the Tahoe National Forest.

In central Nevada, the Paiute Canyon fire 15 miles north of Winnemucca was 70 percent contained at 800 acres after temporarily closing U.S. 95.