RENO, Nev. (AP) — A wind-whipped wildfire moved closer to the Sierra Nevada town of Markleeville, California yesterday, and authorities are telling residents to be prepared to evacuate.
The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center in nearby Minden, Nevada, reports the fire exploded in size from roughly a half square mile, or 350 acres, on Saturday to 10 square miles, or 6,500 acres, on Sunday.
Center spokeswoman Elizabeth Kenna says she's unsure how close the Washington Fire is to town, but it's threatening five homes and 15 historic cabins. She says residents of the five homes and an unknown number of campers have been evacuated.
The fire also has prompted the closure of Highway 89 over Monitor Pass and Highway 4 over Ebbetts Pass.
The fire began Friday night about 10 miles south of Markleeville and winds are pushing it in a northeast direction.
Get the latest on this fire from News4, KRNV-TV Reno.
A brush fire is also burning in northwest Reno. It started on the south side of the river above Mayberry Park. At last update from News 4 KRNV-TV Reno, Reno Fire officials say the White Fir Fire is now 60 percent contained. They expect full containment by 4 p.m. Monday. All road closures around Mayberry Park are now reopened.