With 80 percent containment, the mop-up and line rehab process has begun on the Bison Fire burning east of Gardnerville, fire officials report Friday morning. As the containment percent rises firefighters and equipment will be released from the Bison Fire and made available for other fires.
There are still several hot spots that are being worked on the north and southeast edges of the fire, according to the latest press briefing from the Bureau of Land Management. Winds haven't played a factor in fire behavior and all evacuations and road closures have been lifted. The full containment target date is July 14. The fire started on July 4.
The spike camp and helibase in Smith Valley will be closed Friday and the fire fighters will return to the Incident Command Post in Gardnerville.
The number of personnel assigned to the incident is 970 and shrinking. There has been two firefighter injuries, one with a twisted knee and another with breathing problems.
The cost, to date, of fighting this fire is $5,657,204.
No residences were damaged or lost in the Bison fire but to lessen the possibility of your home being damaged in another fire, please clear 30 feet around your residences, “reduce the fuel, reduce the risk.” Go to the Firewise link at www.firewise.org for further information.
Fire information will continue to be updated at www.sierrafront.net, www.inciweb.org, and on the Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators and Douglas County’s pages on Facebook.