Wildfires Burning Along I-80 In Nevada
August 05, 1999
Wildfires have been burning up thousands of acres along I-80 in northern Nevada since they were sparked by lightning Wednesday.
More than 200,000 acres were on fire yesterday, mainly along the Interstate 80 corridor near Winnemucca, according to published reports. There were more than 30 fires by yesterday, and were gradually linking together as they grew in size.
The fires, which officials called "aggressive," were not responding to usual steps to contain the fires. They have jumped containment lines in several areas, as well as parts of I-80, forcing temporary closures of the interstate.
About 600 firefighters from local and out-of-state fire departments have been called in to battle the blazes, which stretched between the towns of Winnemucca and Battle Mountain.