Smokey haze around Carson from lightning-caused fires

UPDATE 4:15PM: The Sierra Interagency Dispatch Center (SFIDC) in Minden reports the Rock Fire in the Red Rock area north of Reno is now 50 percent contained 1,500 acres.
The voluntary evacuation orders for about 50 residents in the area has been lifted, and those residents are being allowed to return to their homes.
No injuries are reported with this fire.

***

A smokey haze has settled around Carson City this morning, the result of multiple fires burning throughout the region. Most of the smoke, though, is to the north of the state capital, a region where multiple brush fires are burning.

Several lightning sparked fires were started Thursday by thunderstorms moving through the Sierra Front region, the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center (SFIDC) in Minden reported.

Sierra Front fire agencies continue to respond to several lightning fires throughout the Sierra Front area from Red Rock north of Reno to Markleeville south of Minden-Gardnerville.

The largest fire is currently burning on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land north of the Red Rock area near the Nevada and California border. SFIDC reported as of 10:30 a.m. Friday morning that the Rock Fire had grown to as much as 2,000 acres in size.

Resources from multiple agencies are on scene to battle the blaze, the SFIDC reported, in an effort to keep the flames from spreading to nearby structures, which were still threatened of last report but nothing damaged.

More than 200 firefighting personnel, including ground and air support, are on scene battling the blaze, KRNV Channel 4 News in Reno reported yesterday.

Between 300 and 400 residents have been evacuated from the Red Rock area to a Red Cross shelter set up at O'Brien Middle School in Stead. Area livestock have been relocated to the Reno Livestock Events Center.

No injuries have been reported.

Two other fires are also burning nearby and being battled by local crews on scene, the SFIDC reported.

The Seven Lakes Fire, burning on the north side of Seven Lakes Mountain in northern Washoe County, has grown overnight from 300 to 2,500 acres.

And the Sage Fire, located 10 miles east of Doyle, CA, is burning through about 1,000 acres of sage, grass and juniper on BLM land, per the SFIDC's latest update at 10:30 a.m. Friday morning.

Another lightning-caused fire was reported burning near Markleeville, CA, the SFIDC reported last night.

KRNV reported yesterday that a lightning strike near Markleeville sparked the Diamond Fire, which burned up to five acres when it was reported just before 4:50 p.m. Thursday.

SFIDC reported crews from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Cal-Fire, East Fork Fire District, Alpine County Fire, and the Nevada Division of Forestry had responded to the Diamond Fire.

No other updates are available at this time on the Diamond Fire.

The National Weather Service reports isolated thunderstorm activity again by Friday afternoon, developing across portions of eastern California and western Nevada, including Reno, Carson City and Mammoth Lakes.

Due to the hot, dry conditions and areas of widespread dry grass, brush and trees, lightning strikes will be capable of producing new fire starts, which may spread rapidly due to strong outflow winds.

Check the latest Fire Weather Watch/Warning products for additional details.

Unfortunately, these storms will bring little relief from the dry spell which has persisted over the region since May, as rainfall will be limited to very small areas.

If planning outdoor activities Friday, have a plan to find safe shelter before the storms begin. It is recommended to complete outdoor backcountry activity by mid-day, and avoid camping or hiking in areas surrounded by widespread dry vegetation.