The Eight Mile Fire in the South Pahroc Mountains has covered 5,700 acres. (Courtesy photo)
Two wildfires kicked off the month of July in the Bureau of Land Management Ely District. Both were reported on July 1.
The first was the Eight Mile Fire, burning in the South Pahroc Mountains, about ten miles east of Alamo and the other was the North Creek Fire, in the Antelope Range about 60 miles northeast of Ely.
Officials at the BLM Ely District headquarters said the Eight Mile Fire was lightning-caused the morning of July 1, and initially covered about 1,000 acres of pinion-juniper, black brush, yucca plants, and cheat grass burning in steep, rugged terrain.
However, by July 9, the fire increased in size to 5,700 acres and was considered 50 percent contained. No human life or structures were threatened.
A team of smokejumpers and two engines were dispatched first to the location, and later one helicopter, four engines, two Type 2 hand crews, one bulldozer and two water tenders were brought in. Assistance was also given by the Lincoln County Fire Protection District and local contracted resources.
The North Creek Fire covered reached about 1,100 acres, and was fully contained July 5 in mostly pinion-juniper, and sagebrush. No structures were threatened. Cause of the fire in under investigation.
A single engine air tanker was employed along with one helicopter, six engines, a Type I ground crew and three Type 2 ground crews, plus three water tenders and two bulldozers, a total of 137 people working the fire, but after the fire was contained only a small crew of about 25 remained to do mop up work.
Also assisting were the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Ely Ranger District, Great Basin National Park, Nevada Division of Forestry, Idaho Department of Lands, and local contracted resources.
On both fires, firefighters implemented full-suppression strategies, using all available resources to protect life and property, and resources.
