The Shoshone Fire has grown to an estimated 7,934 acres in Churchill County as firefighters contend with steep, rugged terrain and conditions that are helping the fire spread.
The fire is burning about 58 miles northeast of Fallon and was caused by lightning, according to the Bureau of Land Management Nevada in an online post. It is burning through short grass, brush, timber, and juniper.
Firefighters are seeing both rapid fire spread and slower-moving surface fire. High temperatures, low relative humidity, winds of 15 to 25 mph, and critically dry live and dead fuels are contributing to the fire activity.
The fire is expected to continue moving south and east, following the terrain and available fuels. Fire retardant has been used to slow the spread, although areas with heavy juniper may burn through retardant lines.
The fire remains under a full suppression strategy. Steep and inaccessible terrain is limiting where firefighters can safely engage the fire, while additional crews will be assigned as they become available and conditions offer a high probability of success.
Firefighters currently see the left flank as the most favorable area for establishing an anchor point and beginning to secure the fire because of its fuels and topography.
There are 115 personnel assigned to the incident, including crews, engines, dozers, and aviation resources.
For more information, visit the fire's InciWeb page.
(Bureau of Land Management Nevada contributed to this story.)
