UPDATE 9:40AM: The U.S. Forest Service says due to more accurate mapping, the fire is now 285 acres and 85 percent contained. Though Jacks Valley Road has reopened, officials urge motorists to continue to give emergency vehicles space to move and watch for firefighters in the area.
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Fire crews are assessing the Jacks Valley Fire that started Wednesday afternoon in Douglas County, which, as of Thursday morning, had burned 700 acres. The fire is 75 percent contained, evacuations have been lifted and roads are open, according to U.S. Forest Service incident command.
The Jacks Valley fire started south of Jacks Valley Road in Carson City and was fought by more than 250 personnel from state, federal and local agencies and included suppression operations in coordination with both fixed and rotor wing aircraft, the report states. As of Thursday morning, no structures were lost, according to Douglas County Emergency Management.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and is under investigation. In its Thursday morning report, incident command notes the fire exhibited extreme fire behavior during initial attack.
“High winds drove the fire to the south and east, prompting several evacuations in the Indian Hills and Jacks Valley area and closing Jacks Valley Road. All evacuations were lifted this morning and Jacks Valley Road has reopened. Over 900 homes in the area were without power, which has since been restored,” the report states.
For Thursday, firefighters will continue to hold and improve established lines around the entire fire perimeter and begin mopping up, extinguishing any hot spots within the fire. Winds are predicted to be stronger in the morning and then decrease throughout the day, the report states.
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and East Fork Fire Protection District are in unified command of this incident.
