Fire burning southeast of Topaz Lake

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A 1,000-acre fire was burning out of control Monday night about eight miles northeast of Walker, in the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest.

The Jackass Flat-Risue Canyon fire is threatening 15 homes, 45 outbuildings and powerlines. The lightning-caused fire, burning in piƱon and juniper, near the Douglas-Lyon counties border, was reported at about 4:30 p.m. Monday.

As of 10:30 p.m. the fire was moving north and eastward into Desert Creek. Lyon County had structure protection in place, according to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.

Extreme fire behavior had been observed, due to lightning.

The fire was expected to remain active throughout the night due to continued erratic winds and low relative humidity.

Highway 338 was closed at the junction of State Route 208 north of Wellington. Desert Creek roads were closed to Highway 338.

Desert Creek Campground and other sites near Desert Creek were evacuated. Desert Creek Ranch, on the east side of the fire, was evacuated.

Crews from the U.S. Forest Service, Mono County, East Fork Fire and Paramedic District, the U.S. Marine Mountain Warefare Training Center, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Division of Forestry were on scene.

Resources included two air tankers, two helicopters, one air attack observation plane, one water tender, five dozers, three hand crews, 11 engines, five command staff and 92 personnel.

No estimate of containment or control has been made as of 10 p.m.

A Type I National Incident Management Team was ordered to take over the management of the fire.

Three to six other lightning fires were also burning in the Bridgeport Ranger District, though most were between 5 and 10 acres.

A 10-acre fire near the Carson City Landfill, was in the mop-up stage.

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