Northern Nevada Briefs

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ELKO, Nev. - Elko County commissioners have declared a state of emergency in response to last month's fires that burned more than 400,000 acres of rangeland in the county.

After only minimal debate about the wording, the commission approved the resolution unanimously on Thursday, making Elko County the last of the five hardest-hit counties to act.

Eureka and Pershing counties each declared emergencies on Aug. 20. Lander County took similar action Aug. 23 and Humboldt sent its declaration to Gov. Kenny Guinn on Tuesday.

Emergency declarations by local governments make them eligible for state funds, which can only be used by public agencies.

Individuals who have sustained personal losses due to the fires benefit most from a federal disaster declaration.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman issued that declaration today.

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RENO, Nev. - The wait continued again on Friday for about 3,000 Sierra Pacific Power Co. gas customers in northwest Reno.

They were in their third day without natural gas as crews continue to turn valves and re-light individual pilot lights after a pressure problem Wednesday.

Sierra Pacific employees returned gas flow to about 2,000 customers on Thursday, according to spokesman Charlie Fletcher.

He said the system is working fine. The delay comes in reaching residents when they are home so Sierra Pacific employees or their contractors can go inside to re-ignite pilot lights.

If people are not home, a note and number are left on the door.

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RENO, Nev. - The thick haze that's cloaking western Nevada is likely to be around through the Labor Day weekend, but while it's ugly, health officials say it's not all that harmful to the average person.

Smoke from forest fires in Northern California is the culprit.

As nasty as the air it looks, Tracie Douglas of the Washoe District Health Department said the pollution is less than half the worst reading of last week.

The air-pollution index reading Thursday afternoon was 45, which is the high end of the good range. Last week had ratings of 97 and 81, both in the moderate range. Unhealthful begins at 101.

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