Governor declares a state of emergency

Residents of Mound House, except for those living on Linehan Road, can return to their homes, according to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.

As residents make their way home, fire crews from across Northern Nevada and Northern California continue to battle the Linehan Complex fire, which remains a threat to Carson City and Mound House homes. It was one of 14 fires sparked Monday by lightning.

This afternoon's weather conditions threaten to cause more fires. According to the National Weather Service, a reg-flag warning is in effect from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. this afternoon, with thunderstorms and high wind gusts possible.

The Linehan Complex has burned more than 6,000 acres in Carson City, Lyon and Storey counties, and there is no expected containment estimated at this time, according to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.

Gov. Kenny Guinn has declared a state of emergency for Nevada as a result of the wildland fire activity that is causing financial hardship and depletion of resources.

This declaration will provide the ability to obtain early access to federal assistance, assistance from other states, and allows for access to the state's disaster relief fund.

See video and photo slideshow of the fire:

https://www.nevadaappeal.com/mhfirevideo/

The fire was visible from Carson City during the night, as it burned on the north east corner of town. No structures have been lost, but 200 remain threatened by the blaze.

Highway 50 was reopened last night, after being closed yesterday due to the advancing flames and smoke.

Fire crews will be working to contain the blaze on the west, north and east flanks, as well as protecting structures.

Fire information officer Karla Norris said crews have made progress on the Carson City portion, which sits just a quarter mile from Goni Canyon Road on the east face of McClellan Peak.

In Mound House on Monday firefighters prevented the racing flames from consuming any of the hundreds of homes on the north side of Highway 50 East.

Central Lyon County Fire Protection District Chief John Gillenwater said an abandoned structure in a canyon was the only building lost.

Norris said today the group's main concern is preventing the northeast end of the fire near American Flats from going into Storey County.

"We are putting a line in to keep it from making a run to Silver City and Gold Hill," she said.

Also of concern is the Iron Mountain fire in northeast Stagecoach which is burning near Talapoosa Mining District.

"It's quite a ways in the hills, but it will move quick if it comes off that mountain," he said.

According to the National Weather Service, the forecast is partly cloudy, becoming mostly cloudy with scattered thunderstorms after noon. The temperatures are expected to reach 95 degrees.

High pressure will remain over the fires for one more day before moving off to the east tonight. Temperatures will remain very warm with a very unstable atmosphere. While general winds will be light, out flows from thunderstorms will be capable of wind gusts of around 50 mph or higher. Poor humidity recovery this morning will become fair to good tonight as more moisture moves into the region.

Until the last flames are mopped up, Norris said, the worst isn't over yet.

"If you've got a structure get some defensible space around it about a 100 feet," she said. "Don't wait until this weekend. Do it today."

The Ollinghouse fires are burning behind Tracy by the Gooseberry Mine, west of Fernley, to the east of Reno in northern Storey County.

The fire is a complex of three fires: Ollinghouse II has charred 250 acres, with no containment estimated at this time. One crew is currently building line around the fire; the Ollinghouse III has scorched 500 acres and is contained at this time; crews have been dispatched to the Ollinghouse VI a new start near Fernley.

Check back here through the day for updates.