Firefighters get upper hand on 74-acre blaze burning near rifle range

As of 4 p.m. Saturday, firefighters were getting the upper hand on a 74-acre blaze near the Carson City Rifle Range and Carson City Landfill, and it was declared contained by 4:45 p.m., according to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.

The Rifle Fire, which started around noon, is burning in light fuels, predominantly cheat grass, and mop-up operations are being initiated.

Two helicopters, two water tenders and two air tankers were on the scene most of the day along with 15 engines and four hand crews, which included about 150 personnel, said Helen Frazier, the center's intelligence dispatcher.

An air and ground attack was conducted throughout the day. Air tankers are attacking the head of the fire, and ground units are flanking the perimeter. Helicopter operations were aiding mop-up of hot spots in critical areas.

Some minor equipment and one air tanker had been released by 4 p.m.

The fire, which is in Bureau of Land Management jurisdiction, is also being

fought by the Carson City Fire Department, Lyon and Storey county fire

departments, the U.S. Forest Service and the Nevada Division of Forestry.

No structures are threatened, but fire personnel earlier in the day evacuated campers and

squatters from the area. The fire, which was initially reported at about five acres, had jumped the Carson River about an hour after it was first reported.

The fire spread at a moderate rate of speed most of the day, being fanned by light winds.

Meanwhile, crews are mopping up the 325-acre Herlong Fire near Jacksonville, Calif., which started Friday evening, with complete control estimated to be at 6 p.m. Monday.

The Golden Fire in Colorado was contained at 74 acres Friday afternoon. Units are patrolling and mopping up.