Cold Springs fire continues to burn

A lightning-caused fire that began in the Desatoya Mountain Range east of Fallon has remained at 4,012 acres as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Cold Springs Fire, which is now 15 percent contained, is burning in thick vegetation and steep, inaccessible terrain about 65 miles east of Fallon. The fire is located 15 miles east of U.S. Highway 50 just north of State Route 722. The two-lane Carroll Summit Highway is a secondary route to the Reese River Valley and Austin. At times the fire crossed the highway. As of Tuesday, the Carroll Summit Highway has reopened.

“This is the largest fire of the year the Carson City District,” said Lisa Ross, BLM public information officer.

She said a Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team from the Sierra Front took over fire operations on Monday and expects the fire to be contained by Saturday.

The Walker Fire, located north of Walker Lake, Calif., in the June Lake loop, started Friday evening. The U.S. Forest Service reports the cause of the 3,700-acre fire is man-caused and is under investigation. Approximately 150 firefighters are on the scene as are five helicopters and two air tankers.

According to an incident report issued Tuesday afternoon, about 20 structures are threatened and have been evacuated near Walker Lake. Smoke from the fire is visible in the region. The fire is burning in mixed conifer, mahogany, and brush. Critical sage grouse habitat is also threatened.

Ross said the Desatoya Mountain Range fire is consuming juniper trees and grass as air and ground crews are actively engaged in fire suppression activities. She also said the fire has burned some areas of sage grouse habitat and is threatening a Priority Habitat Management Area.

In addition to BLM crews fighting the fire, the Nevada Division of Forestry has three hand crews fighting the blaze and a kitchen crew came from Wells.

According to Ross, about 267 air and ground crews are on the scene. Ross said the helicopters are using water from various sources including the Campbell Ranch. A temporary SEAT (Single Engine Tanker Air Tanker) base has been established at Austin for planes to load slurry.