Investigators say 1,300-acre Duck Hill blaze human-caused

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CARSON CITY - Investigators say a blaze that scorched about 1,300 acres of sagebrush and cheatgrass just north of Nevada's capital city appears to be human-caused.

Leonard Wehking, a federal Bureau of Land Management investigator, said Friday there was no evidence that lightning or some other natural cause started the fire.

Wehking also he's checking out reports of children on bicycles and of a truck in the area where the fire started - although Carson City fire officials said they checked the spot where the children were seen and came up with nothing.

Before slowing late Thursday, the wind-driven "Sutro" fire had forced evacuations from several homes and a state campground and damaged an unmanned electronic communication facility on top of Duck Hill, overlooking Carson City.

The fire came within three-quarters of a mile of homes on the Carson City side of the hill, then spread northward over the top of the hill to Washoe Valley, where about 15 campers had to flee from Washoe Lake State Park.

Flames were clearly visible from downtown Carson, and from homes across Washoe Valley. Heavy smoke, adding to haze created by other fires in the area, could be seen in Reno 30 miles to the north.

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