Blazes scorch more than 30,000 acres

Spot fires kept crews hopping Tuesday around Reno and elsewhere across Nevada as crews worked to complete a line around the state's largest wildland blaze.

The Sand fire has blackened about 20,000 acres in a remote area 10 miles north of Pyramid Lake. Some 150 firefighters are on the lines and had the flames about 75 percent contained by late Tuesday.

The Union Complex fire 15 miles south of Caliente held its own on Tuesday at 7,860 acres. Some 390 firefighters are being hampered by the steep, rough canyon terrain.

Both fires were started by passing trains. A train also is blamed for three small spot fires on Tuesday in the Lockwood area east of Reno. A 100-acre fire in the Steamboat area south of Reno was blamed on a discarded light bulb that acted as a lens when sunlight hit it.

The 700-acre Eldridge blaze 25 miles southeast of Ely was contained late Monday. It was started by lightning.

Lightning also sparked the 800-acre Cedar Ridge fire 30 miles south of Elko. Some 600 acres are burning in a complex of seven fires near Caliente.

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