Firefighters fight area wildfires

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HOPE — As firefighters work to battle the Trestle Creek Complex fires, fire officials said road closures would be implemented in the area to assist in the effort.

Located about seven miles north of Hope, the Trestle Creek Complex fires have burned a combined 236-plus acres. In total, the fires are about 5% contained, although that amount varies depending on the fire.

The Trestle 1 has burned 27 acres and is 50% contained. The Trestle 2 is about an acre in size and is 90% contained. The Trestle 3 has burned  8 acres and is 80% contained. The Trestle 5 fire is about a quarter-acre in size and is 20% contained.

The largest of the fires in the complex is the Trestle 6, which has burned 200 acres and is 0 contained due to its terrain making it inaccessible to firefighters at this time. Fire crews are keeping a close eye on the Trestle 6 Fire.

The fire is being overseen by a Nevada Type 3 incident management team. There are five hand crews and one engine battling the fires, with a total of 88 personnel assigned to firefighting efforts.

Fire officials said roads being closed are Trestle Creek Road just above the Huckleberry Campground and on the Lightning Creek Road just above the junction of Rattle Creek Road and Lightening Creek Road.

"Firefighter and public safety is our first priority on this fire," said Jess D. Harvey, public information officer for Battle Mountain District for the Bureau of Land Management in Nevada.

Harvey said fire officials are asking residents to drive with caution in the area especially when they encounter firefighting personnel or equipment. Residents also are reminded to stay stay out of the fire areas and obey all restrictions.

"The firefighters continue to work hard on the fire," Harvey said. "Even under critical weather conditions, the fire has stayed within existing containment lines."

Hot dry weather combined with poor overnight recovery will continue a well-above-average drying trend in the region.

While some smoke can be seen on the Trestle 6 fire but most of the smoke plumes residents are seeing are coming from the Burnt Peak Fire. That fire, while located directly behind the Trestle 6 fire, is actually miles away, Harvey said Most of the smoke that hangs over the area is coming from fires outside of the area.

The Burnt Peak Fire, which also was started by the July 7 lightning storm, is burning in timbered, steep terrain on the south face of Burnt Peak in the Keeler Creek Drainage.

The fire has grown to approximately 650 acres with 10% containment. Approximately 95 fire personnel are currently on scene utilizing Keeler Rattle Road 473, Pony Mountain Road 2201, and the North Fork Keeler Road 404 as part of the suppression efforts.

Resources on scene include 4 engines, 4 water tenders, 2 falling modules, 10 pieces of equipment, and 3 IA module. A closure order is in effect for roads in the area of the Burnt Peak Fire for both public and firefighter safety. Pre-evacuation notices are in effect and the fire is within 2 miles of residences. Equipment will continue to improve access to the fire and resources are extending and improving anchor points.

A public meeting will be held Tuesday, July 13, at 6 p.m. at the Three Rivers Ranger Station parking lot in Troy. All are welcome to attend.