RENO, Nev. (AP) — A mechanical saw at a fuels reduction project near the California-Nevada line apparently sparked a wildfire that has burned about 17 square miles of remote, rugged forest and high desert 100 miles north of Reno.
The Bureau of Land Management says no homes were threatened by the fire estimated to be 20 percent contained Wednesday night.
More than 100 firefighters were battling the blaze in sage brush, grass and juniper trees 17 miles northeast of Ravendale, California. BLM spokesman Jeff Fontana said crews were trying to keep the flames out of priority habitat for the greater sage grouse.
BLM District Manager Nancy Haug said the project was intended to reduce tree density and enhance habitat for grouse and other wildlife. She said a spark from a spinning blade mounted to a tractor set fire to dry grass Monday afternoon.