Preacher Fire in Douglas County swells to more than 1,000 acres, voluntary evacuations underway

UPDATE: An updated version to this story can be found here.
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The Preacher Fire burning in the Pine Nut Mountains has swelled to more than 1,000 acres, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center. Douglas County has initiated recommended evacauations of areas at the east end of Pine Nut Road including Fred’s Street, Sandoval, Taildragger, Bluebird, and Bar-J Roads as well as the Spirit Ranch Area including Blue Sage Road, Badger Lane, Robinson Road, and Lena Lane. In addition, the Washoe Tribal Police are evacuating the Bodie Flats area in the vicinity of Courtland Avenue.
See Carson Valley Times for updates.
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UPDATE 7:15PM: The 500-acre Preacher Fire has changed direction now moving northerly direction toward Pinenut Road, according to Douglas County officials. Evacuation preparations continue. Large animals can be taken to the fairgrounds, Officials are reopening shelter at the Douglas County Community Center for evacuees.
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UPDATE 6:50PM: The Preacher Fire has grown to around 500 acres as of Monday evening. There is a retardant line around nearly 100 percent of the Preacher fire's perimeter and some resources have been released. However, around 6 p.m. high winds pushed the fire past retardant lines at the heel of the fire and at this time the fire is heading towards Buffalo Canyon, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center. Douglas County has initiated recommended evacauations of areas at the east end of Pine Nut Road including Fred’s Street, Sandoval, Taildragger, Bluebird, and Bar-J Roads.
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UPDATE 1:05PM: The Preacher Fire burning in the Pine Nut Mountains southeast of Gardnerville is now between 300 to 500 acres, prompting voluntary evacuations due to expected shifts in wind and weather from thunderstorms in the area.

A Carson City Fire Department brush unit was called to the fire at 1:12 p.m. Monday to help battle the growing fire.

East Fork Fire Protection District notes: Due to the expected thunderstorms this afternoon that may influence fire direction, East Fork has issued a precautionary message to those living between Fred’s Road and Pine Nut Creek Road between Blue J and Ruby Mine area to be prepared to evacuate if the need arises.

“We have a shelter available at the senior center using CERT volunteers,” said East Fork Fire Deputy Chief Dave Fogerson. “The area of the fire is accessible only to hand crews and aircraft.

“Reverse 911 and Douglas County Search and Rescue will be notifying those of the potential evacuation. We have a command post established with DCSO, East Fork and BLM representatives. We are setting up for structure protection of the homes using engines and overhead personnel.”
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Following the call to a Kansas Street structure fire which has been extinguished, Carson City Fire Department was called to a small fire in the 400 block of North Division. That fire has been extinguished.

Meanwhile, East Fork Fire Protection District and Tahoe Douglas responded to a brush fire in the area of Mica Drive south of Carson City, which was reported to be around 1/2 acre. No structures were threatened. The fire was knocked down at 10:34 a.m. The cause is under investigation.

Elsewhere, the Preacher Fire has grown to 150 acres in the Pine Nut Mountains, according to Carson Valley Times.

Thunderstorms are expected Monday and Tuesday afternoon and evening for northeastern California and through Wednesday for portions of western Nevada. Some storms may produce little rainfall which raises concerns for fire starts due to lightning.