Preacher Fire in Douglas County doubles overnight

UPDATE TUESDAY 4:53PM: The acreage of the Preacher Fire was adjusted Tuesday afternoon when a glitch was identified as the mapping was finalized. The correct acreage as of 3:50p.m. stands at 4,651 acres.
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UPDATE TUESDAY 12:42PM: The Preacher Fire has burned 7,651 acres, according to the Incident Management Team that flew over the fire Tuesday morning to assess the situation.
Douglas County Sheriff Office and Nevada Highway Patrol are working with Nevada Department of Transportation to update the reader boards along Highway 395 from China Springs to Minden warning drivers of low visibility due to smoke.

UPDATE TUESDAY, 8:54AM: The Preacher Fire in southeast Carson Valley continued to burn overnight, though it remained at 3,130 acres as of the first size-up Tuesday morning, according to Carson Valley Times.
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UPDATE 9:47PM: The Preacher Fire made a move north toward the Sierra Spirit Ranch and Out-R-Way Monday night, expanding to 3,130 acres, the Carson Valley Times reports.
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The lightning-sparked Preacher Fire burning in the Pine Nut Mountains southeast of Gardnerville has swelled to more than 2,000 acres as of Monday night prompting voluntary evacuations, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.

Douglas County has initiated recommended evacauations of areas at the east end of Pine Nut Road including Fred’s Street, Sandoval, Taildragger, Bluebird, and Bar-J Roads as well as the Spirit Ranch Area including Blue Sage Road, Badger Lane, Robinson Road, and Lena Lane. In addition, the Washoe Tribal Police are evacuating the Bodie Flats area in the vicinity of Courtland Avenue. Large farm animals can be taken to the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The emergency evacuation center is at the Douglas County Community Center.

The Sierra Front Type 3 Incident Management Team has been ordered to take over command of the fire Monday night as of 8 p.m. and in addition, a Type 2 IMT has been ordered to take command from the T3 Team Tuesday afternoon.

The fire started in grass within the old Bison Fire scar but has moved into pinyon and juniper that had not burned. There is a retardant line around most of the fire's perimeter and some resources have been released. However, around 6 p.m. high winds pushed the fire past retardant lines at the heel of the fire and at this time the fire is heading towards Buffalo Canyon.

See Carson Valley Times for updates.
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UPDATE 7:15PM: The Preacher Fire has changed direction now moving northerly direction toward Pinenut Road, according to Douglas County officials. Evacuation preparations continue. Large animals can be taken to the fairgrounds, Officials are reopening shelter at the Douglas County Community Center for evacuees.
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UPDATE 6:50PM: The Preacher Fire has grown to around 500 acres as of Monday evening. There is a retardant line around nearly 100 percent of the Preacher fire's perimeter and some resources have been released. However, around 6 p.m. high winds pushed the fire past retardant lines at the heel of the fire and at this time the fire is heading towards Buffalo Canyon, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center. Douglas County has initiated recommended evacauations of areas at the east end of Pine Nut Road including Fred’s Street, Sandoval, Taildragger, Bluebird, and Bar-J Roads.
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UPDATE 1:05PM: The Preacher Fire burning in the Pine Nut Mountains southeast of Gardnerville is now between 300 to 500 acres, prompting voluntary evacuations due to expected shifts in wind and weather from thunderstorms in the area.

A Carson City Fire Department brush unit was called to the fire at 1:12 p.m. Monday to help battle the growing fire.

East Fork Fire Protection District notes: Due to the expected thunderstorms this afternoon that may influence fire direction, East Fork has issued a precautionary message to those living between Fred’s Road and Pine Nut Creek Road between Blue J and Ruby Mine area to be prepared to evacuate if the need arises.

“We have a shelter available at the senior center using CERT volunteers,” said East Fork Fire Deputy Chief Dave Fogerson. “The area of the fire is accessible only to hand crews and aircraft.

Reverse 911 and Douglas County Search and Rescue will be notifying those of the potential evacuation. We have a command post established with DCSO, East Fork and BLM representatives. We are setting up for structure protection of the homes using engines and overhead personnel.