SIERRA FRONT NEWS RELEASE
The Bain Fire near Geiger Grade and Toll Road is 40 percent contained and estimated at 577 acres.
Today, firefighters focused on containment line construction along the west and southeast flanks. Crews continued to hold north and south slope containment lines along with completing burnout in the northwest corner of the fire. Air crews played a significant role by keeping the fire from spreading further. Firefighters have been faced with steep, rocky terrain, changing wind conditions and high components of cheat grass making it a difficult fire to contain.
If weather conditions continue to cooperate, full containment is expected on Tuesday.
No structures have been lost, and no injuries have been reported.
All road closures and traffic controls have been lifted in the area of the fire. Drivers are still asked to use caution if having to travel on roadways near the fire as crews and apparatus are still actively working.
Onlookers are asked to stay out of the area for the safety of themselves and personnel. Earlier today the dirt, unimproved area of Toll Road had to be closed due to onlookers.
At 5 this evening, the Bain Fire was transitioned to Incident Commander Paul Washam of the Sierra Front Incident Management Team, a Type 3 Team. The previous incident commander was Mike Brown.
Approximately 283 total personnel are working on the fire, including ground and air crews. Agencies working cooperatively on the fire include the Reno Fire Department, Sparks Fire Department, Storey County Fire Department, Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Sierra Fire Protection District, United States Forest Service, North Lake Tahoe Fire, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County School District, Washoe County Emergency Management, Washoe County Regional Animal Control, NV Energy, Nevada Department of Transportation and Nevada Highway Patrol.
The Bain Fire started at 3:42 p.m. yesterday afternoon. Reno Fire Department investigators advise the fire was human caused. The investigation is ongoing as fire investigators continue questioning witnesses and suspects. More information will be released when the investigation is complete.
