Crews quash fourth wildfirein a week

Fire crews Friday quickly contained a one-acre fire near Spooner Summit as a blaze east of Carson City that charred 736 acres over the course of four days is being called all but controlled.

According to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch, smoke was seen downslope on a tree covered mountainside just off Spooner Summit on Highway 50 about 5:06 p.m. Before Carson City deputies could notify all Clear Creek residents of the potential danger, fire officials reported they had a "wet line" around the fire and it was under control. The highway was closed for a short time.

Bud Ivey, spokesman for the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch, said the Badger fire east of Carson City which was expected to be controlled Friday, won't be considered controlled until today at 6 p.m.

He said the change has more to do with command staff than fire activity.

"It's always the call of whoever is managing the fire to declare it controlled and with a new incident commander, and his unfamiliarity with the situation, it's to his advantage to watch the situation then make a judgment," Ivey said.

He said flames are no longer visible and there is only minor smoldering.

Because the region is rocky and not prone to large, deep rooted trees, the likelihood of smoldering stumps is lessened, said spokesman Tom Crawford.

Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked the blaze in southwest Brunswick Canyon, dubbed the Badger fire for its proximity to an area called Badger Springs.

Because there were no reports of lightning on Tuesday, the fire is likely human caused.

The 736-acre fire actively burned for three days in the piñon, juniper, cheatgrass and sagebrush on the federally owned land east of Carson City.

A fire line was completed around the perimeter of the fire Thursday.

Most resources on the fire are released, but two crews, one engine and a helicopter and plane are still assigned to the fire.

- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.