Blazes scorch more than 15,000 acres

Hot temperatures and scant humidities have finally brought the wildland fire season to Nevada, two of them apparently sparked by passing trains.

One, the Sand fire, has blackened about 7,000 acres in a remote area 10 miles north of Pyramid Lake.

Fire officials said it broke out on Saturday and grew to about 2,000 acres on Sunday. While fires typically lie down after dusk, this one more than tripled by Monday morning. It was about 40 percent contained with some 150 firefighters on the scene.

A train also is blamed for the 7,860-acre Union Complex fire 15 miles south of Caliente. The freight touched off 14 blazes that merged into one. Some 390 firefighters are being hampered by the steep, rough canyon terrain.

The latest fire, the 700-acre Eldridge blaze 25 miles southeast of Ely was just reported Monday afternoon. It was started by lightning.

archive