Brush fire erupts in Storey County

A 3-1/2-acre field fire reported at about 9:20 a.m. Saturday initially threatened homes in the Mark Twain area of Storey County, but was quickly contained about and hour and a half later, according to Storey County Manager Pat Whitten.

The fire started as a result of an escaped controlled burn, he said.

"We are always aggressive on any fire," Whitten said, "so we had Storey County on it, and called out Central Lyon, BLM and NDF, including 11 engines."

One outbuilding was lost in the fire and another damaged, along with a propane tank and power pole, he said, but because nearly a dozen structures, including homes, were initially threatened, a voluntary evacuation was issued, Whitten said.

Residents were allowed back in their homes as soon as the fire was contained.

Crews still were on the scene as of about noon Saturday, and expected to remain throughout the day, checking the charred field for hot spots.