New Sierra Wildfire Prompts Evacuation
U.S. 395 remains closed this morning about 70 miles south of Reno while crews continue to battle a 900-acre fire north of Coleville, California.
The fast moving fire broke out behind a Marine Corps housing unit, which was evacuated.
Lower temperatures and higher humidity have helped crews surround 40 percent of the flames. The blaze erupted near where about 400 firefighters were battling a 2,100-acre wildfire touched off by lightning Friday. That fire was 45 percent contained. An evacuation order was lifted for residents in Coleville.
The area is about 20 miles north of Walker, California, where a wildland fire in 2002 covered 23-thousand acres. Three men were killed when their air tanker spreading fire retardant crashed after its wings fell off.
